PPP/C presidential candidate Donald Ramotar announced at a political rally on Sunday evening that he would be ready to listen to the views and ideas of national interest from persons, groups or organisations.
Indeed he was specific enough to say, “As long as they think they have ideas I would be ready to listen to them, I would be ready to discuss with them, I would be ready to debate with them and I would be ready to work with them in the interest of Guyana.”
Unfortunately, over the past nineteen years Mr Ramotar and his party have rejected every single proposal made by the parliamentary opposition during the annual budget debate. He and his party have been silent even as the party’s President and government have rejected hundreds of calls, suggestions and ideas made by Guyanese on issues ranging from murders of citizens, abuse of state power, financial management and good governance.
But Guyanese are a forgiving people and do not hold him personally responsible for all the violations that have taken place under his party’s watch. I am sure they are prepared to turn a new leaf with him. The question is: is he himself prepared to turn a new leaf? Here are twelve issues that citizens would like him to make a commitment to:
1. If elected President, ensuring that the constitutional bodies such as the Ombudsman, the Public Procurement Commission and the Local Government Commission are set up within thirty days of, or other specified period after his election;
2. Within sixty or other specified number of days but not exceeding four months of his election, working with Parliament to appoint a broad-based Constitutional Reform Commission to examine the constitution with a view to removing its dictatorial features and making it more democratic and consistent with republican status and the rule of law;
3. Appointing a Commission of Enquiry to look into all aspects of the crime spree that led to the deaths of hundreds of Guyanese including his party’s Minister, Mr Sash Sawh;
4. Ensuring that all public funds including money from the sale of government properties and the proceeds of the Lottery are placed in the Consolidated Fund;
5. Implementing the recommendations of the Chang and the Symonds Reports to strengthen the Guyana Police Force;
6. Removing party control of the state media and the restriction on the citizens of Region 10 to access to television of their choice;
7. Removing the state monopoly on radio;
8. Reviewing the Amaila Falls Hydro Electricity Project with a view to ensuring transparency and economy in the project and lower tariffs to the consumers;
9. The establishment of a full enquiry into the CLICO collapse and action to deal with wrongdoers;
10. Appointing qualified independent persons to the Audit Office and removing those who have a conflict of interest;
11. Repealing the Former Presidents (Other Benefits and Facilities) Act; and
12. The passing of modern anti-corruption legislation.
Mr Ramotar will note that the issues raised will either save money or lead to better governance. They do not involve any expenditure or loss of revenue such as the reduction of VAT and other taxes on which he may wish to take the lead.
Because I wanted to limit the list to a round dozen, and to make them as uncontroversial as possible, I have not asked about the Marriot Hotel, the Intelligence Agency in the Castellani House Compound, the Airport Expansion Project or the giveaway of state property to party leaders, comrades and friends. He is of course free to address these. Nor have I raised any matter that could cause him any embarrassment like his role as a Director of Omai and GuySuCo or how his daughter obtained state property in Pradoville 2.
These are not new matters or fresh ideas. They have been around and expressed by many “persons, groups [and] organizations.”
He would have no doubt addressed his mind to them. Each is capable of a yes or no answer. As a citizen, I am appealing to him to answer them promptly for the benefit of the electorate whose vote he now seeks.