Editor: They have suffered the worst punishment any employee could face. That is the loss of employment. They endured hard times, some for more than a year. Their case was heard in the high court and they await the judgement which should be rendered expeditiously.

Whatever the outcome, it would have far reaching financial implications for all involved. The society seemed to have been dealt a harsh blow. The consequences undoubtedly, are grave.

Students experienced poor examination results. Illiteracy is on the rise. This is due to the loss of their teachers. Additionally, there is an increase in demand for skilled workmen.

Construction workers had to be imported to fill the need even as our unemployment rises. Poverty has also risen. Teachers are needed to train more skilled workers.

There is an increase in the death rate perhaps due in part to the unavailability of the fired nurses and health care personnel. Life expectancy has been lowered.

The knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine has been documented. Data about its effectiveness gathered is sufficient to inform the way we respond to this virus in the future.

It has been a record-breaking year for crime. The loss of so many years of experience in crime-fighting among the fired policemen is apparently appearing in the fingerprints. It takes years to build expert capacity. Merely recruiting more new policemen is not the solution. The police need training on par with teachers, civil servants, and the private sector if they are to fight crime with appropriate scientific evidence in court.

An efficient civil service runs the engine of government. The audit of government’s account for the last fiscal year should inform the current budget debate. Weakening the civil service through COVID-19 firings was not helpful.

Nevertheless, all parliamentarians appear to agree on the performance indicators:

1. We are experiencing extreme poverty.

2. Unemployment is out of proportion especially among the youths.

3. Record breaking crimes.

4. High illiteracy.

5. Poor road networks.

6. Inadequate health care.

7. Unsustainable Pension Scheme.

8. Perpetual budget deficits.

9. Lower life expectancy.

10. No System of promotion by merit.

11. Corruption and waste.

12. Public debt out of control.

The virus of financial unaccountability will continue to spread without adequate personnel. Being behind by upwards of five years is irresponsible. We wait too long for financial accountability. Unless these matters are addressed expeditiously, the public is being denied justice. We await the verdict.

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD