Tabulating the red tape
Editorial
MANY who have been driven to the end of their wits by the red tape that dominates government business may be seeing signs of hope in the announcement by President Bharrat Jagdeo last week that he is addressing the issue. "...I have directed that a tabulation be made of all areas of red tape affecting the smooth running of government and these will all be removed", he told reporters at his first press conference since assuming office last month. The sceptics may well be remarking, `Big deal, so what else is new?' That would be an understandable reaction, given the virtual entrenchment of red tape in officialdom, for even the most routine of business. But in a public recognition of a problem, especially at the highest level, is always hope for the resolution of that problem. The President's announcement Friday came within the context of repeated complaints he said he has been getting from "ordinary people" as he goes around the country. He said they have complained of "long delays in dealing with simple matters which often cost them money". The most persistent of these problems have to do with housing, an area in which President Jagdeo noted the government has done much. There have also been several letters to the newspapers about problems in housing and we welcome the President's recognition that there are "some concerns that still have to be addressed". He referred to some of these at his Friday press conference and announced steps to deal with them. To guard against perceptions that the red tape initiative is not just another public relations gesture or window dressing, the President should ensure there is regular updating of progress on this matter. Those put in charge of the tabulating exercise should list the areas in order of priority and there should be media briefings on what is being done to remove the red tape. If people do not know what they are required to do in areas like house lot applications, they could still be held to ransom by others in the government system who would want to exploit this lack of knowledge for their own ends. As the red tape cutting exercise is developed, it would be good if officers throughout the regional system of government are fully briefed on these so that people requiring guidance at the community level, would know who to turn to without having to make regular trips to the relevant head offices in Georgetown. `Ordinary people' are much too often the victims of exploiters enmeshed in the onerous red tape in government business and it is time they are rooted out. Tabulating the red tape is a major first step in eliminating it from the business of government.
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