Dear Editor,
Corruption or its perception, is one of the greatest threats facing Guyana. Every dollar lost through corruption is a dollar taken from our schools, hospitals, roads, public safety grants, and the opportunities our people deserve.
When public officials and relatives and favoured ones are seen as enriching themselves while ordinary citizens struggle with the rising cost of living and inadequate public services, public confidence in government is eroded. People become angry when they believe there is one set of rules for those in power and another for everyone else. They lose faith when allegations of corruption are not investigated, when transparency is lacking, when accountability appears selective or absent, and when known rapists or violators of females are seen close to ranking officials. No democracy can remain healthy if citizens believe that public office is used for private gain and pleasures.
There are suggestions that the powers that be is in support of known highly corrupt government functionaries. Should the public be now entitled to take vigilante actions against these individuals. Attack on officials will take Guyana further down the international image perfection of a good place for business.
But it seems like we are just unable to avoid this. Public reaction to officials will open the flood gate of acceptance of vigilante disciplinary action in face of government inaction.
I am opposed to the use of violence against some ruling government politicians as an expression of anger over their arrogance, abuses, and corruption. It is unlawful. And violence is not a solution to the countless problems Guyanese face especially over rising cost of living and crimes while ruling politicians are having a time of their life.
But how else can people vent their anger and frustration if not using violence against crooked politicians who are enriching themselves with kickbacks from contracts and giving themselves contracts under names of others. Should the public rise up against the corrupt government?
Guyanese are deeply frustrated by ceaseless corruption and a lack of accountability and transparency from those entrusted with public office. The looting is on a previously unthinkable scale and very much qualifies for public vigilante type justice. When people struggle with rising living costs, low wages, high unemployment, poor public services, misuse of public resources, blackouts, high electricity charges, the sight of government officials being chauffeured in high-end air-conditioned vehicles, frustration builds over time.
Remember how the Critic came to fame by destroying the parking meter in face of government links to corruption. Look at the handling of Karpowership, gas to energy project, smuggling of gold, sight of mansions going up for ranking official, what’s happening at NDIA, terrible infrastructure, and other ills. Anger further builds up on the sight of some ministers, especially from Tuschen and Bloomfield, amongst others, who are known by everyone to be amongst the most corrupt. They ‘tek’ by the truckloads without any repercussions. They thumb their nose at the public, confident nothing will happen to them. The public is losing confidence in institutions when they feel their lives are not improving and concerns are ignored. Pent up anger is growing. A time will come when they can’t take it anymore.
Rising anger should serve as a warning to those in authority. Leaders who ignore legitimate public concerns risk creating a deeper crisis of confidence. The answer, however, is not intimidation or violence. The answer is independent investigations, strong anti-corruption institutions, open government, a free press, and equal application of the law regardless of political status or influence.
The vice president must act to discipline the corrupt or risk serious response from the public. He must combat corruption and strengthen public involvement in policymaking. The public must pursue peaceful solutions, advocacy, civic engagement. There must be transparency and accountability in all policymaking and all government implementation. Favouring families, friends, and preferred ones must end. Foreign companies have assets in Guyana. They too can become targeted. The ABE countries must take note of the corruption and impose sanctions on individuals known to be corrupt.
A healthy democracy depends on rule of law not only from citizens but also from officials. Corruption is a violation of the law. Addressing corruption honestly is essential to restoring public confidence and preventing anger from escalating.