The old guard in government departments and offices is neither a weak enemy nor an unpracticed foe. The old guard is well- organized and well-entrenched; in order to maintain their positions and status, they are ready to frustrate any newly-appointed official as soon as he assumes responsibilities or shows signs of ideas. One of the ploys used is to keep the new man busy in his office — looking at meaningless documents, reviewing useless reports or scrutinizing obsolete studies. The aim of the old guard of course is to eliminate enthusiasm, excellence, ambition, and maintain the old style and routine: anything in other words to make the new man appear helpless and uniformed. The old guard floods every new appointee with trivial matters such as traffic accidents, salary increments, local procurement, annual or sick leaves.
How can we possibly expect officials to be aware of what is going on if they are confined — or almost locked — in their offices? In fact, the procedures for entering a nuclear research center in the West may be easier to follow than those set up in order to enter officials’ offices in our public and government departments. Why is this so? Why do these officials think that there should be a barrier between them and the public? It is no secret that many ordinary citizens have to endure humiliating waits and delaying tactics simply in order to see officials, directors or even second-level managers. It is true also that ordinary citizens have to beg office managers for appointments with officials. Other citizens are compelled to wait long hours at government department gates so they can speak to officials as they enter or leave work. Furthermore, some citizens have no choice but to follow the officials to their houses in order to have a brief talk. And the well-off citizens who can afford to invite officials to luncheons or dinner parties do so in order to meet Their Excellencies and voice their needs and complaints. What about those who cannot afford such extravagances? Are they not members of the public as well? I was told about a citizen who finally lost patience at the tactics used to keep him from seeing an official. The official was always “busy”, “in a meeting” or “at a conference.” Finally, the citizen pushed his way into the official’s office only to find His Excellency and friends watching TV and playing cards!
Let me put it as simply as possible. Are we interested in catching up with the modern age which is already far ahead of us? If the answer is yes, then it is mandatory that we make the necessary changes or we will stay behind forever.
