D.K. DuncanPOWERLESSNESS an awful feeling that pervades the psyche of most Jamaicans as we listen to our radios, read the newspapers and watch local television. This feeling became more pervasive as we tried to follow and unravel elements of the Netserv Saga.
Each Jamaican seems to have felt a personal loss of that $180 million dollars. Simultaneous reports of FINSAC's liability of $120 billion, the $4 billion required to be "pumped into the ailing Sugar Company of Jamaica" as well as the $1 billion dollar shortfall in tax revenue, did not evoke the same response as the Netserv millions.
A significant factor contributing to this feeling of powerlessness is the total absence of transparency and accountability. This is exacerbated by the futility of expecting appropriate sanctions following the unheard of acceptance of responsibility.
The fundamental issue, however, relates to governance - governance that empowers. At another level, it illustrates the validity of the Jamaican saying - "Long road bring sweat, short road bring blood." At this stage, prior to the proposed report to Parliament today, and from the confusing information available to the public - there are possible interpretations. The most generous interpretation is that Minister Paulwell applied his usual enthusiasm and well grounded anxiety to meet the deadline of providing 40,000 new jobs through the use of the billion dollar Intech Fund. He was ably assisted by several state agencies, in particular NIBJ to fast-track what otherwise would not be on track. Result - derailment.
The worst case scenario boggles the mind of the uninformed public. This would involve following the Opposition Leader's call for the Police Fraud Squad to take an immediate interest in the case. Equally appalling is the way the press has had to be literally 'pulling teeth' to extract the simplest of information from public officials on behalf of a powerless public. This was clearly in evidence with the contemptuous arrogant display by NIBJ's president, Rex James, on the Breakfast Club morning radio programme. The public may want to remind themselves that Mr. James migrated directly from the FINSAC bailed-out NCB to his present post.
In 1992, the Nettleford Committee on Governance identified some of the problems associated with our current debacle: "..Public faith in the process of governance is steadily declining. From this experience it has been concluded that the machinery of government is in need of drastic restructuring". Similar statements were republished in the Orane Report of 1999 which itself stated: "It is therefore evident that a phenomenon of organisational paralysis exists where large numbers of people know what the problem is, know what the options are for solutions, yet very little if any implementation takes place."
The casual response to the questions posed by Opposition spokesman on Finance, Audley Shaw in November goes to the heart of governance. Parliament - (The Legislature) the House of Representatives is supposed to speak on our behalf - to carry out oversight functions - to do our informal due diligence. When any representative speaks, the Cabinet (The Executive) is expected (though not required) to respond in a timely, open and candid way. Treating our parliamentarians as political eunuchs demonstrates the need for fundamental change in the system i.e. to rearrange the existing balance of power through the separation of powers.
The Stone Report of 1991 correctly states that: "these large majorities have encouraged governing parties to ride roughshod over Parliament, to completely dominate the agenda of activities in Parliament and have discouraged vigorous parliamentary opposition, criticism of government policies and vigilant critical oversight and monitoring. The rapid shrinkage of backbenchers reinforces this tendency as most elected MPs affiliated to the governing party get absorbed into Ministry jobs and this reduces their enthusiasm for parliamentary duties and gives them a perspective than views things from the point of view of government rather than the point of view of representing the constituencies that elected them."
The media over the weekend reported that the Prime Minister instructed Minister Paulwell to provide a full report on the Netserv matter to Parliament this Tuesday. He further assured the nation that "we are accountable to provide full and honest answers in this matter." The Prime Minister however also has some questions to answer before Minister Paulwell speaks. Why has it taken the executive arm (the Cabinet) some four weeks since the matter was raised in Parliament before he recognised the problem publicly? This four-week delay included two weeks of the most agonising, nauseating, gruelling and mentally abusive display on talk radio by stakeholders in this real life drama.
But back to the essence of this Netserv issue. This along with so many other events of the recent past is not so much about personalities as it is about the national will (all of us) to put in place the necessary checks and balances to allow for transparency and accountability in public affairs. Accepting responsibility is also a major moral and ethical problem in our society at most times but especially now.
After the 1999 Gas Riots, the Prime Minister stated, "the old order - the closed distant and authoritarian systems of governance are being forced to give way to a structure which is inclusive, responsive and accountable to the new, proud, informed, assertive Jamaican Citizen of the 21st Century."
Where is the responsiveness in the Netserv case? Who is included here? Where is the accountability in this nightmare? Where is the timely responsiveness to Parliament, the media and the people? The Stone, Nettleford, Orane and Moses Reports all speak directly and eloquently to this issue of governance. These reports were all commissioned by the Government over the last decade. John M. Schear in Legitimacy in the Modern State notes: "The thickening atmosphere of resentment and hostility, the drop-out cultures of the young are the cries of people who feel that the processes and powers which control their lives are inhuman and destructive. They are the desperate questions of people who fear that their institutions and officials have no answers. They are the overt signs of the underlying crisis of legitimacy in the Modern State."
A dysfunctional system disempowers everybody - rulers and ruled. Sufficient analyses abound to point us to a shared vision and a renewal of hope. The information is accessible - use it. A Shared Vision can empower us." Natty never get weary yet" One Love, One Heart.
Dr. D.K. Duncan is a former General Secretary and Cabinet Minister in the PNP administration in the 1970s. He is currently in private dental practice . He recently established 'The D.K. Duncan Political Institute: Centre for Transformation and Political Entrepreneurship'. E-mail: dktruth@hotmail.com
