THE EXTRAVAGANCE OF GOVERNMENT
The people of Guyana voted into office, by a narrow margin a new government. However despite the narrowness of the victory of the APNU+AFC coalition, the outcome of the elections represented a desire by the majority of the population for change.
That change cannot be cosmetic. It cannot be visible only at the upper layers of government. It has to be also present at the second and third tiers of government.
There are a lot of newcomers to government who are running amok within the ruling administration. They are exercising power in a ruthless way. They are behaving as if the power and authority they have is not limited. They are acting outside of the limits and outside of what is to be expected of them.
This is making a mockery to the claim to change. People are saying that what we have in Guyana has been exchange. One group of power drunk persons has been replaced by another group who wish to boost their egos in public office.
Some persons are holding positions that they should not be holding. Some of them are drawing down fat salaries and benefits. Some of them never dreamed of handling the sort of money and privileges they are enjoying. It is not just the salaries that are presenting a burden to taxpayers. It is also the benefits that go with their position.
There are many advisors to the government. Why does the government need so many advisers? Even if it is conceded that the government does have a need for such advisors, has anyone asked why so many of them have to be using large vehicles, in excess of 4500 CC which burn so much gas?
These vehicles are a status symbol. They make a mockery of the government’s claim to a green economy.
Many advisers also enjoy fancy allowances such as payment for maids, electricity and telephone bills. It is wonder that they ever touch their salaries. These advisers also have to be provided with offices and secretarial staff plus a chauffeur. Who do you think pays for all of that?
These advisers can do the work they are required to do from home. In fact, as many as 25 per cent of those employed within the public service, do not need to go to the office. They can work from home.
The government should examine the output of the staff of government ministries and agencies to determine how many of them are really producing anything of worth. The government should ask itself whether the money that is being spent on these persons is being matched or surpassed by the output of these persons.
There are some persons who are developing policies. Well, how long does it take to develop a policy on an area of government? Why should it take more than a year and why should the government be paying some of these persons when they can perhaps have the same job done cheaper and in shorter time by a consultant.
There are two things that the government should do to reduce wastage and excessive expenditure. It should cut back on the number of buildings that it has. The bureaucracy is becoming too bloated.
The government has the government information service. Yet many ministries now have what is called a public relations officer. Why does a ministry need a public relations officer? What is really going on in the country?
The second thing the government should do is to cut back on Government vehicles. There is no need for government ministers and advisers to be driving all those luxury vehicles. For what purpose? To go to and from home?
The government has to put itself in order. Government has to work for the people not for an elite group of bureaucrats.
It is time for the government to demonstrate that it prepared to do away with the extravagance and put the bureaucrats to work harder and faster.