Dear Editor,
It is incongruous and a route to failure, if the majority of names that were revealed to fill the executive branch of the up-coming government become a reality.
Right now, the country is running on autopilot and communicating to the public is extremely passive, as every tiny detail is read from a paper. To continue on this track can only preserve weak leadership with no sense of direction.
Why would critical information on the recovery plan from the World Bank be held behind closed doors, if the recipients are members of the public? Which one of these MPs agreed to this absurdity? Then in whose interest do they represent? This is the problem. There are too many amateurs handling the people’s business! Sarah Wescot-Williams, did you also approve this silliness as President of Parliament?
Then there is this matter of waste, and to curtail it, civil servants across the board will have to pay the price for politicians’ negligence. No, Mr. Finance Minister! There are awesome civil servants, who should not be penalized for someone else’s mistake. Why haven’t these scenarios come in consideration? For example: Was it necessary for 2 Ministers and their entourage to travel to America to witness the signing of the World Bank?
What was the total cost and isn’t the use of Skype just as effective? Mr. Finance Minister, does the cost-cutting include halting of salaries for civil servants who don’t show up to work, but are as healthy as a cow in other occupations? What about the offices that government has vacated to utilize the new government building? Is government still paying rent for those spaces and how much is it costing taxpayers on a monthly basis to sustain this laxity?
Rather than lumping everyone together, isn’t it a fairer approach to release personnel who were placed in positions by party leaders just on the verge of a collapsed government? Look at what took place in the previous administration. All of a sudden, politicians were worried about their cabinet personnel being out of a job and conveniently placed them into positions that were unnecessary. Then, the burden is transferred to the small man. Is this reasonable?
Besides, it is clear that MP Theo Heyliger has no control over the UPP. He speaks with no authority whatsoever; nor does he have the decency to address his constituents, who have given him the privilege to serve. UD is just a fallacy, because an individual who was not a candidate decides how UD functions. This is when political leaders make promises that jeopardize the integrity of the country. The hope for this union to last 4 years is just a dream to dampen the steam.
Furthermore, MP Theo Heyliger is handcuffed by his own deputy, 2 ministers and a few others, who were on the list but did not get into parliament. Theo wants A but these defectors want Z. To suppress the steam, Theo has to concede to the madness, in fear of these renegades breaking ties with him. Pay attention, people. When last have you heard the leader of the Democratic Party being vocal on the new formation? Why hasn’t she? Have they pushed her aside and what’s going on in her head?
In these challenging moments, who can agree for a student to be in charge of Tourism and Economic Affairs, the ministry that has to be in sync with the Ministry of Finance in order to keep this country afloat? What happened to May Ling Chung, the guru in the hospitality sector, who can represent the country on a local, regional and international level? What pity it is to allow egos to cloud their judgment and stagnate the country’s development.
Imagine, the flag was removed from Cole Bay Hill without a substitute. It is absolute absurdity. Likewise, when would One Tete Lohkay be back where she belongs? People, if these officials are not listening to the leader now, do you think he can tell them anything when they are sworn in “permanently?” Take heed, as these episodes are just preludes of future actions, when amateurs are selected to manage the chores!
Joslyn Morton
