By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
Messy is not the word that comes to mind at our troubles that seems to be looming bigger all the time as we struggle with our ongoing political instabilities.
Without any real end in sight to look forward to for much needed relief we are past worried.
Frustration swelling into anger is where we are heading if not there already.
The COVID-19 pandemic has landed not just a global health blow but a punch in the gut to the world economy as well.
When the powerful economies of the world sneezes we double over with pneumonia. We have always known that.
Our tourism industry revenue flow is at a virtual standstill. In accounting terms we are out of pocket by 20/30 percent of budget income.
We have not accounted for loss of jobs and other crippling financial ripple effects on this key industry in our economy.
We have and are still operating on a state of emergency budget, which means only the essentials are covered to keep us going. Businesses are in agony.
Parliament is meeting in a week’s time on the 14 November 2021.
A budget to run the country is the priority over the few months left of the 2021/2022 financial period.
How the FAST Government will divvy up our national treasury will be watched closely.
There were vote winning election promises made that included a $51m tala give away to electoral constituencies.
The big talk is now threatening to come back with a bite on the backside of the new ruling party.
With the world economy in a wobble our small economy is exposed and highly vulnerable to any fallout.
It is a must for us to manage our resources wisely or our economy is liable to crash, as our expert economists love to warn.
Staff loyalty insecurities have cost us the services of a CEO who knows more about organising and running a budget than the rookie Minister of Finance we have.
These same insecurities and loud promises by FAST of cleaning up the service when they come in have landed them into even more troubles.
The public service is hobbling on worried feet fearful of job securities.
Pushed too far these same feet could kick out in angry retaliation and add a bigger mess to the mountain we are already sitting on.
No right minded public servant wants to sit back and allow for political appointments to waltz in and take over jobs they do not deserve because they did not work for them like they did.
Seeing all these CEOs being made to resign worsens the situation even more.
As it has been rightly pointed out if they can boot out these service leaders with out breaking any sweat, how easier is it going to be for all the others in the service?
The question for all of us as a country is how damaging will it be for our economy and our sanity if public service is shut down by a strike at this sensitive period of time?
Allegations of electronic spying in the service with Government appointed computer hackers allowed free access into Ministry computers are disruptive.
Confidential information on public servants are no longer safe. Much more damaging are the fears it creates and the loss of trust that will undermine the harmony in the service.
Hopefully a recent raid led by the Minister of Agriculture and the Associate Minister of Police, on a family business operation was a one–off event.
Firstly they reportedly did not have a warrant and secondly they jumped ahead of the police.
Start adding up all these unhappy events and happenings and our political uncertainties are far from over.
The opposition HRPP party resolve to respect the dignity of the Head of State and restore the Constitution is not going away.
When Parliament opens next week the fallout could turn explosive if both sides are to stand their ground and not back down, which is very likely to happen.
Are we going to see the Speaker cast out the unsworn opposition MPs to wander around the Tiafau Malae while Parliament settles down to a one party Government to run our democracy?
Where is that going to leave us?
We have been asking that question since the early aftermath of our April general elections.
Half a year later we are still asking and not getting any lasting answers to give us the relief we crave.
Not even a flicker of light at the end of this long dark, troubled passage we are in to raise our hopes, except for one.
This light has been shinning on the path to lead us out of this mess a long time ago and still does.
Unfortunately, the people who should be leading us there are turning a blind eye. Maybe it is outside their comfort zone!
Would that be true Lord?