Contrary to a wave of opinion which suggests that the People's Partnership (PP) is not performing, I am of the view that the Government has done a reasonable job in the seven months it has been in office. The setting up of a government which includes the formation of a Cabinet comprising competent ministers was the first major task of the Prime Minister. She did well in her choices. Not only were competent people chosen from those successful in the general election, but in addition the Cabinet reflects the ethnic composition of the country. This is a far cry from the administration of Patrick Manning, who once declared that he could not find East Indians to serve.
The future of this country depends on the commitment of all the people. The Prime Minister in her wisdom knows that you cannot succeed with only half the country supporting you. This genuine attempt at ethnic balance is also reflected in the composition of state boards where it seems extra efforts are being made for balance.What is even more striking is the fact that state board appointments have not been duplicated and no one is serving on two boards. This is good strategy because it controls the tendency of interlocking directorates to be corrupt.
In the first three to four months, ministers, most of whom were there for the first time, had to become familiar with the Public Service, with rules of governance and with setting out a plan of action. Some have taken longer than others. However, it must also be noted that with changes in government, the old order fights back, and it seems that this is also the case. The PP Government should have shaken the trees already by making personnel changes so that the support of critical human resources in the Public Service would have been in place. It is not too late to so do.
The introduction of a policy on multiculturalism was a giant step in the cultural evolution of T&T and marks a radical departure from the past.In mixed societies it is important that people be made to feel important, appreciated and respected.Treating with social customs and cultural practices in a spirit of equality is most important. It creates an environment of ownership for one's country and its future. Divali this year was the best ever funded by any government in the history of our country. The national awards were more evenly distributed and reflected the diversity of the country.
While the crime situation continues to be problematic, including a new wave of domestic violence, the PP must be given credit for bringing before the Parliament important (though some say draconian) pieces of legislation to combat crime. Amongst these are the anti-gang legislation and the Bail Act amendment.
All of this is happening as the justice system was being reorganised with the creation of a Ministry of Justice in addition to Legal Affairs and the Attorney General's Office.The debate on hanging as a deterrent to murder was also reintroduced as well as the joint police/army patrols. Amidst this the Government did succeed in appointing a Commissioner of Police.It takes some time to set up a ministry and to organise for delivery. That all of this was done in seven months is commendable.
The disenchantment with the Government is coming from a population which has very high expectations of the PP. Citizens were fed up of driving on bad roads, having to face water woes and being flooded out. They want a cataclysmic shift in their quality of life in these areas and are losing their patience in having to wait. It is in the delivery of these basic services that the PP will regain the perceived loss of confidence it gained before taking office.
The disenchantment is also being fuelled by the 289,000 PNM voters who want the previous political culture to continue. It is a calculated strategy that we are seeing being played out in the talk of loss of confidence in the economy. There is no loss of confidence. The foreign companies have not closed their businesses. Local businesses have not foreclosed like in the USA. In Parliament recently, we heard of new acreages being given out for offshore drilling. We are hearing of investment missions to our country.
We must not forget that the PP inherited a Treasury which, according to Finance Minister Winston Dookeran, went down in two years from $19 billion in cash to $5 billion when the PP came into office. We must be honest enough to admit where and with what inheritance the Government started.We have not spoken about the Clico debt and the contractors debt and the HCU depositors, nor of the cost overruns, nor of the big buildings that bring no revenue. We have not spoken of a demoralised Police Service which was short by 2,400 officers.
This is the inheritance that the PP Government has been managing for the past seven months.Yet it has been able to create the Life Fund for Children, give out letters of comfort to squatters, begin to distribute deeds to sugar workers, create a Ministry of the People, and launch a vicious attack on poverty.For the first time in the country's history, farmers were compensated within six weeks for flood damage.
Residents were also compensated in several areas for flood damage to their homes and businesses. The Minister of Local Government has been able to set up TENT to respond to disasters in a speedier fashion.On balance, the Government has been doing a credible job. Yes it can do better.
However, let us be fair to it. It has now set up shop, developed infrastructure and seems to be ready to deliver. If the Government fails I will be the first to write again and be critical of it. But for now it deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Chandra Harnanan
A Guardian reader