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VenEconomy: A monumental mess

Face to face with the terrible reality of a broken down domestic electric power system, the result of ten years of irresponsible mismanagement and political shortsightedness, the government was left with no alternative but to announce a nightmarish plan of power rationing that will leave the whole country in the dark.

Just like that, without any warning, this Tuesday, January 12th the Venezuelan people were told that they would be facing harsh electric power rationing measures that will seriously affect the quality of life and further destroy, if possible, the industrial and productive network in Venezuela.

There is no longer any point in explaining, yet once again, that it is Hugo Chávez and his dream of Cuban-style socialism that has left Venezuela mired in misfortune and misery.

Any analysis of the situation, however, cannot fail to emphasize the managerial and personal responsibility of all those who have allowed a country rich in water and energy resources, one blessed by a long period of extremely high income, to sink to these depths of an energy crisis.

It is also necessary to point out, once again, that the measures being proposed by the government to solve the problems have been taken: 1) without any consultation whatsoever, and contrary to the best interest of the country; 2) without any coordination whatsoever with the various sectors in the country; 3) without any coordination whatsoever with regional and municipal governments; 4) with undeniable improvisation, meaning that they lack feasibility; and 5) without the preparation necessary to fully inform the people, far enough in advance so that they can take whatever measures are needed to deal with the situation at the lowest possible cost.

Faced with this mess, all the Venezuelan people can do is try to make the best of it, seeking creative options and solutions in an effort to overcome a traumatic situation.

Even at the risk of having the government, once again, turn a deaf ear to any suggestions made by those who disagree with the government’s political project, VenEconomy would like to put forward a few, simple suggestions that could help make these measures easier to bear:

First, it is essential that the government, without delay, confer and coordinate the actions of the central government and those of other governments at the regional, municipal and parish levels and with the private sector of the economy. Each of these, based on their individual experience and knowledge of the people’s needs, is in a position to contribute ideas that could reduce the negative impact and help keep everyday activities as normal as possible.

Furthermore, the country should go back to the old time and synchronize daily activities with the hours of sunlight so as to cut the use of electric power.
Another suggestion would be to launch a campaign fostering rational use of electric power by the man on the street.

Most important of all, however, would be for the country to return to the path of production, productive investment, ongoing maintenance and training human capital.

According to Martin Luther King there are only two options when facing adversity: react with bitterness or use it to build up a creative force. Martin Luther King chose the latter.

VenEconomy has been a Venezuela's leading specialized publisher on financial, political and economic data since 1982. VenEconomy's Points of View on the issues of the day, as seen by VenEconomy during the last week. Petroleumworld does not necessarily share these views.

Editor's Note: This commentary was originally published by VeneEconomy on 01/13/2010. Petroleumworld reprint this article in the interest of our readers .

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Petroleumworld News 01/14/2010

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