Time devours all things

THE EDITOR: Two recent pressing events on the national landscape have forced me to break my self-imposed code of silence.

These two events are firstly, the escalating criminal activity and secondly, the ill advised talk of a merger between the Unit Trust Corpo-ration and the First Citizens Bank. It appears to me, after due consideration and after listening to the Government’s proposal on crime, that the said Government manifests a gross inadequacy, inefficiency and misunderstanding in its dealings with criminal activity in this nation. These factors create a debilitating effect upon the Ministry of National Security and its agents and the burgeoning criminal cartels fully exploit the situation. There has been a coup d’etat of sorts and the crime bosses now seem to run the country.  Whether we like it or not, this is the predicament which faces us today. Probably, the time has come for us as a nation to redefine our philosophies by which we behave and govern.  There will have to occur among us a comprehensive re-ordering of thinking, living and educating.  Spiritual, social and civic values will have to be re-introduced or reinforced in our churches, mosques and temples, our homes, schools and communities. Because of the extreme deterioration of our social fabric, it will require expert surgical procedures to salvage our nation from the ravishing cancers that are devouring it.  Ladies and gentlemen, we are on the brink of total collapse and anarchy!  Only God can help us now!

Regarding the merger of the two financial institutions already mentioned, one can only wonder in consternation at the folly of such an utterance. Even more frightening is the fact that an incumbent Minister of Finance (who incidentally happens to be Prime Minister) could voice such a proposition to an unsuspecting public, with scant regard for the repercussions which are certain to ensue.  Just as the Attorney General must be an attorney, I feel convinced that the Minister of Finance must be someone who as a pre-requisite, holds qualifications in Economics and Finance. A cursory glance at the separate histories of the two financial institutions in question will indicate that each has met with success because of its own set of prevailing circumstances. To merge them at this juncture might seriously jeopardise the interests of both organisations.  This, in my opinion, is not the kind of risk that should be foisted upon shareholders, unit-holders and customers at this time. If then, the Latin dictum Tempus edax rerum omnium (time the devourer of all things) holds true, then this beloved nation has had enough time to think of the possibility of introducing a new political directorate energised and equipped with the mechanics and dynamics to propel us towards true spirituality, prosperity and peace.

ENOCH JOHN
Political Leader
National Democratic Organisation