Austerity: Government must lead by example

It is right that the government should take time out to reflect on its performance since formation. The President and Deputy President gathering Cabinet Secretaries and other top officials at a secluded retreat should provide the ideal environment for serious self-appraisal.

However, on the choice of venue, the government should not be seen to be preaching water and drinking wine.

It was only in December that the Treasury announced a raft of austerity measures, including a requirement that government seminars, conferences and other such gatherings should be held in government facilities rather than hotels.

Many were quick to note that the venue for the Cabinet retreat flouted the Treasury’s austerity directive. The Treasury Cabinet Secretary explained that the venue was selected because of the security and privacy it offered.

He also said that the bar against use of private facilities was not absolute, but just an expression of preference, leaving a window open where justification could be provided.

He also accused the media of spreading falsehoods about the December circular.

We respectfully disagree. Government circulars are not issued just to express personal wishes, but to lay down official guidelines.

We would concur that the directive was not written in stone and provided room for use of private venues depending on a wide range of factors, including security, catering, lodging, capacity, equipment, and so on.

However, citing security and privacy as the primary concerns in this case sends worrying signals about government lack of confidence in the State of security and privacy available at its own State Lodges scattered around the country.

On calls for belt-tightening, the government should lead by example.