President Jagdeo's performance to date
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY
President Bharrat Jagdeo assumed the presidency on August 11 and will mark 100 days in office on November 18. We asked the man/woman-in-the-street to comment on his performance. Their views follow: Zohora Singh - senior education officer: `I think that Mr Jagdeo is genuine and has tried. He appears focused on what needs to be done and is moving in that direction. Sometimes I feel though that he is not getting the kind of support to get things moving from the public and from those within his own office or his own party. He is quite energetic and has shown that he wants to get things done by his actions such as taking the Cabinet to other parts of the country. He has moved and blended with the people. What he now has to do is to convince the people that what he is about is in the interest of the country. He now has to be frank and when he cannot live up to his promises or to promises made by members of his Cabinet he should say so. I think he has it within him to bridge the gap that exists between the country's major ethnic groups.' Muriel Drakes - medex: `I am not satisfied with his performance as President because nothing has changed except the person in the office. The country continues on the downward slide with the same people in office. President Jagdeo was the minister of finance when workers were denied increases and had to proceed on strike which has caused the country to plunge even further down. I think that his Cabinet outreach is just a public relations stunt and a political move to get support to continue in office after the next general elections. It has nothing to do with the genuine interest of the people. As far as I am concerned Mr Jagdeo is there to keep the public servants down by downsizing the government's work force who are mainly supporters of another political party'. Zaleena Amir - `Mr Jagdeo has been doing a good job as President especially meeting with the people to try to understand their problems. He will be a better leader understanding what is affecting people on the ground. He will then be in a position to make decisions which will be in the interest of people of this country. Though young I think he is acting in a mature way. Apart from doing all that should be done for good governance I think that he and Mr Hoyte should meet and find solutions to the country's problems. The two need to join forces to take the country out of its many problems and lead us into the new millennium in a happier mood. If they cannot find a solution it is we the people who will suffer.' Margaret Whittaker - teacher: `I think that President Jagdeo is too tight on releasing funds for development and in opening up the economy as he should to attract investment. This is one of the reasons why the country is going through another economic crisis after we had recorded some economic growth. All that is coming out right now is still political propaganda. Since his ascension to the highest office in the land he has not named a new minister and this is holding back the nation's business in parliament as was obvious when Mr Hoyte objected to the tabling of bills and orders in parliament which the finance minister should have presented. What I would now like to see him do is complete the constitutional reform process in time and hold free and fair elections soon.' Kavita Singh - private sector employee: `I am impressed with his performance since he took office. The political squabbles are not as much as before, the tension has eased somewhat and his overall image has improved. I think that he now has to get his ministers to think his way. Some he will definitely have to remove if he wants support for the part in the next government. I think he has to continue meeting people. He has to continue the good work and he has to focus on reducing criminal activities in general.' Denise King - housewife: `I think that he is trying for the Guyanese people. He is calling for unity and he thinks that this nagging and pulling and tugging should end. I would like him to look at job creation and making housing affordable for ordinary citizens. I think that we need many younger and professionally qualified heads in Cabinet and that is one area the President has to address. He also has to appoint a finance minister or even a junior finance minister if he wants to retain the senior ministerial post. I wish him well.' Lena Munna - self-employed: `I don't agree with some of the things that have happened since President Jagdeo took office. That is the late payment of public servants and teachers and the effect all of this is having on the economy and the lives of ordinary people. Lately, too, I think that criminal activities on the street have heightened and people are definitely losing confidence in the police force. They are losing confidence for many reasons. I saw a thief robbing a shopper at the corner of Regent and Camp Streets. A policeman was present and he did nothing to arrest the thief. In spite of what I have said I think that Mr Jagdeo is trying to bring peace between the major ethnic groups and I think that he should try all means to meet Mr Hoyte instead of worsening things.' Sharon Howes - public sector employee: `I think Mr Jagdeo is trying. He has done a good job so far. He has been moving out of town with his Cabinet to meet the people and hear their problems, which is good. He now needs to walk about Georgetown and in Region Four to see how best situations at all levels could be improved. I would like him to complete the constitutional reform process in keeping with agreements signed by his predecessor and both he and Mr Hoyte should meet sooner than later. Both he and Mr Hoyte need to talk about many issues especially the race issue which is a burning problem.' Narima Amir: - `So far he is doing a good job and so far he has shown that he genuinely wants to help people. Many things like meeting with children and young people show his concern for people. His vision of moving development to the people such as the Berbice Bridge project is another commendable move. I think that taking on the challenge in the international community will help to improve our tarnished image in the international community and put Guyana back on the map. He can make us proud where when we go overseas we will proudly say 'I am a Guyanese'. For the rest of the term I want him to be a good President.' Marissa Thorne - student: `So far he has not impressed me. Because as yet I do not know who is in charge of the country and who is not. Today we have a President tomorrow we have another one acting and I don't know if in another couple of days I will have someone acting as an acting president. It is somewhat confusing. I know though that Mr Jagdeo is doing a better job than Mrs Jagan when she was President and people welcome him more because they see him as a Guyanese. I think that he has to look after the welfare of government workers. He has to take it on seriously or the country's economy will continue to decline. He also has to make things easier for teachers. I think at all cost he should try to meet Mr Hoyte even if it has to be on Mr Hoyte's terms. He should not make things tougher in meeting Mr Hoyte.'
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