OCTOBER 5 – THE “NEW ERA” PROMISE BETRAYED
Georgetown, Guyana – October 3, 2012
By: Moses Nagamootoo,
AFC Vice-Chairman & Member of Parliament
On October 5, 1992 marks 20 unbroken years of the PPP in government. It was heralded as the “dawn of a new era”.
Today, after 20 years in office, the PPP has lost its way. The “new era” promise has been betrayed, and working people have lost faith and hope in the PPP. It is divided and weak and, under its present Jagdeoite leadership, it can no longer by itself guarantee Guyana good, stable and effective governance.
I was a Minister of that first 1992 government, and I was to serve in that capacity under four presidents, until 2000. I still feel the excitement and expectations of the early years, when we earnestly worked to re-build our Guyana.
The Cheddi Jagan presidency was the golden gem of “lean and clean” in governance. It was short-lived. Whilst the formal political democracy for which we had fought relentlessly, was to survive, the frugal and honest government of Cheddi Jagan died with him.
One year ago this month, I resigned from the PPP and joined the Alliance for Change. Since then, the PPP has lost significant ground and has been reduced to a minority, now masquerading as government. The primary cause of its demise has been under-performance, inefficiency and unchecked corruption.
The AFC recognizes that much of what is positive over the years, has been lost in the frenzy over political control and domination. The Jagdeo years would perhaps stand out as Guyana’s disgraced era of political vulgarity, lawlessness and corruption, which is caricatured in the “Pradoville” culture of greed and sleaze. The country had sadly plunged into a “cuss-down mode”, from which it never recovered. Remember when journalists were seen as “vultures and carrion crows”; and those who could not toe the line were deemed “ignoramuses”?
Twenty years ago, people voted for change in how government did business. They wanted a government that would make sure that they get benefits for their hard work and from their taxes. They voted for cheaper foodstuff and transportation, decent housing and health care, water they could safely drink from their taps, education that ensures job opportunities. They voted for paying jobs and a living pension. The change they wanted was to show, in the words of the Song of Guyana’s Children: “what Guyana’s sons and daughters can be”... TBC
I fully agree with Mr. Nagamootoo. The 'New Era" ushered in with the PPP coming into office died with Dr.Jagan and the new torch bearers has proven to be more like a bunch of 'Thiefin Parangs & Ali Baba and his 40 thieves.