A country which has lost its way

There is no indication that the volte-face by the government in terminating the Surendra specialty hospital contract will make any lasting impression on the administration.  Coming as it were after months of contention about the qualifications of that company, observers are no doubt left wondering what next.  Interestingly, Surendra’s contract – like the Amaila Falls contractor was defended tooth and nail by government officials who displayed total disregard for justifiable claims of technical incompetence.  Also, like the Marriot situation, local contractors have been played like a game of musical chairs as part of a major scam. The scam involves giving a contract to an individual or firm with connections to the ruling party with no consideration whatsoever connected to their capacity and capability to get the contracted works done.  The game plan is that after a period of activity that is more motion than movement, alarm bells are rung about performance, milestones etc. and a decision is taken to withdraw the contract and either re-tender or go right ahead and give to another favourite.  These charades are only the tip of the graft and kickbacks iceberg and demand vigilance on the part of civil society, and the political opposition.  These bodies have not shown any great propensity to really go after these scams probably because they lack the technical expertise to do so. The unfortunate thing for the sitting head of state is that he is saddled with the ill-conceived plans and plots of his predecessor.  However, all is not lost because Donald Ramotar has to take a stand, draw a line in the sand and develop the testicular fortitude to reverse all those questionable deals which now face him.  It will benefit no one, least of all himself if he continues to be seen as Jagdeo’s puppet lacking the gumption to cut himself loose from the sycophants and misdeeds surrounding the presidency.  Almost all of the deals struck during the Bharrat Jagdeo administration are shrouded in secrecy with one thread running through them.  That common feature is the vast amounts of monies that are involved and the incestuous role the ubiquitous National Investment Company Limited (NICIL) is playing in all of them. But more to the moment is the unfolding scenario of wrongdoing at lower levels of a barely manageable bureaucracy where the examples set in the upper brackets are followed with seeming impunity.  What else could be responsible for a public servant buying a home worth in the tens of millions while earning a salary of under one tenth of a million dollars; or a public servant in an extremely sensitive position being in a position to construct homes for his three children all at the same time?  It must be remembered that perceptions of wrongdoing very often mirror reality, and therefore it behooves any incumbent or aspirant to public office to behave in a manner consistent with due regard for universally accepted professional norms and values. To require subordinates to act in compliance with policies and procedures in their service to communities is to concurrently demand of senior functionaries the attitudes and conduct that inspire ethical behavior across the board. And therefore the point has to be made that the man in the street will always be on the lookout for words and actions to which s/he can selectively relate when it comes to identifying with public figures in positions of not insignificant influence.  The appearance of vindictiveness in the decisions of politicians who are only the servants of the people, and senior public servants will not only tarnish the reputation of those unconscionable individuals (who seem not to care), but also to bring into disrepute the quality of goods and service provided under the mission statement of the subject agency/ministry. The current perception is that of a country which has lost its way, and is extending its hand (panhandle fashion) for any form of cosmetic relief in the hope that they would prove a panacea for the man-made problems that are hampering national development. The powers that be are sending signals that Guyana is ripe for the taking and whosoever will may come, with little or no regard to delivering for the benefit of all Guyanese.