NACTA Poll: Majority dissatisfied with Gov’t

NACTA Poll: Majority dissatisfied with Gov’t
Stabroek News news item. Friday 2 May 2008
http://www.stabroeknews.com/?p=2697

A majority of people polled in an opinion survey conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) last week say they are dissatisfied with the way the country is being governed and would like to see improvement in the discharge of the duties of Ministers if not their replacement.
There is widespread disgruntlement among the population on virtually every aspect of life that people were polled on with most expressing a pessimistic attitude about the future. However, the survey finds that although the government has scored poorly on
a number of issues people were queried about, they still display a liking for their President, Bharrat Jagdeo, attributing failures and poor performance of the government to his Ministers and not to him. People express the feeling that several Ministers are not competent in their Ministries and that the President should replace them with individuals who can get the job done and make the government look good.
The poll, coordinated by Vishnu Bisram, interviewed 890 individuals representing the diversity of the population to obtain their views on a variety of current issues.
According to the findings of the survey, a majority of those polled are not pleased with the way the country is being run, over a third are not satisfied with the performance of the President, and there is not much confidence in the government’s ability to combat crime.
Asked if they think the government is doing a satisfactory job fighting crime, only 36% said yes (including those who say the government is trying against all odds), with 49% saying no and 15% expressing no opinion. People feel that the political opposition should collaborate with the government to find solutions to escalating crime and other problems. Some also say the government should show more flexibility in working with the opposition.
Asked if they are satisfied with the way the country is being governed, only 29% approve with 51% saying no and 8% not sure. Twelve percent give the government a neutral or balanced rating (not “yes” and not “no”). People feel several ministers are not up to the job and should be replaced because they are holding back progress.

Asked if they approve of the performance of Jagdeo as President, 40% said yes, 38% said no, 9% not sure (and no opinion) and 13% give the President a neutral rating (not “yes” and not “no”). People feel the President needs to check
up more on his non-performing Ministers and to crack the whip on them so they can perform. They describe some of his appointments as “square pegs in round holes” and feel it is time for him to shake up his cabinet and replace those who can’t “get the job done” and who are “an embarrassment” to his government. It is interesting to note that the President’s approval rating (53%) is higher than that of his government (41%).

Asked if they approve of the choice of Carolyn Rodrigues as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, 30% said yes, 44% said no and 26% said they are not sure. In general, people feel the President knows who is the best person to head the Foreign Ministry. But those opposed to Rodrigues’s appointment and not expressing an opinion on the issue feel former Minister Moses Nagamootoo or Ambassador Odeen Ishmael would have been ideal for the Foreign Ministry as both have more exposure and experience in external affairs than Rodrigues. People like Rodrigues, describing her as charming and as one of the Ministers who has performed credibly in her Ministry and should have been retained in Amerindian Affairs. Many say her experience in community development has served Amerindians well and moving her is a disservice to Amerindians who have developed a fondness for her.

The survey also queried Guyanese about VAT and their choice of a successor to President Jagdeo when his term expires. These findings will be released in subsequent reports.