Port Louis — I'm in a squeeze. Sometimes I think that this country's doing pretty good. After all, we lead our African neighbours by quite a big margin in most economic indicators. But then I take a long hard look at the list of ministers that comprise the government. Some are doing a commendable job. Others though are frankly dismal. So glaring are their shortcomings that I needn't mention any names. You know whom I'm talking about.

Does the Prime minister put up with such potentates of indolence and ignorance ? Does he really have such a low opinion of this country's people that he has permitted himself to allocate key portfolios to people who have neither the inclination, nor the desire or the competencies to do even a fraction of what is required of them ?

In some cases, the concerned parties aren't doing such a bad job that they aren't doing anything at all. This allows that ministries' technicians can get along with their work unhindered. Others, though, seem to fudge everything they touch.

Despite occasionally pandering to vested interests, I'm tempted to believe that the Prime minister has his heart in the right place. He wants to create a legacy that he can be proud of and one that secures his place in the pantheon of the great. Navin Ramgoolam is probably aware that he might not achieve this lofty goal with the current crop of ministers despite the fact that he's probably got another eight years at the helm of the country.

The minister of Finance is becoming increasingly zealous in his implementation of the International Monetary Fund's 'recommendations'. Many a prosperous country has fallen prey to the IMF's and World Bank's policies and paid a hefty price for this mistake. The unravelling of the social fabric is but one threat posed by rampant economic liberalism. Inflated economic indicators do not, in fact, enthrall the majority of the population, especially when democratisation seems to rhyme increasingly with nepotism. We must beware not to make the blunder of allowing the term 'sustainable' to be hijacked by all and sundry for commercial gain. Everything from tyres to textiles are being touted as being eco-friendly. They are not.

Sure, Mauritius is in line with many countries in terms of international commitments and policies for renewable energies. But can we really slap a 'sustainable island' label on the country ? We are so far from off mark that it's not even funny. It's fine to say that Mauritius is working in the right direction but to call it a 'sustainable island' smacks of greenwashing. This is why it befalls the people to take action. Worryingly, I don't think that many will. Oh well, perhaps we are the big sham.