Reality check

By Salama A Salama

---

When Jesus Christ was taken to Pontius Pilates for trial, Pilates asked, "Are you a king?" to which Jesus answered that he was merely bearing witness to the truth. "Truth, what is the truth?" was Pilates's next question.

Now everything in this country seems to be enveloped in a mist that hides the truth. Those who witness the truth fail to speak up. And those who seek the truth are routinely misled. Even those who represent the people, or claim to do so, fail to help us find the truth or hold anyone to account. No wonder the country lives in the shadow of frustration, mistrust and despair.

Some people claim that the media is painting too gloomy a picture of reality and thereby undermining the public's trust in government. The fact, however, is that public opinion in this country is being systematically ignored. Much is being said about corruption, abuse of power, and instances of monopoly. But the truth is never revealed, despite all official statements and media reports on such matters.

When the price of rod iron shot up for no apparent reason, all eyes were riveted on the largest producer of iron in the country, a man who presumably has control of the market and current prices. The government was accused of turning a blind eye while that man manipulated prices. So people started asking the Antitrust Board for action and were told that the board is taking the matter seriously and will soon report its findings. Then weeks passed and nothing happened. The board couldn't decide whether the charges were true or not. Some say that because the man in question is a main figure in the National Democratic Party Policies Committee and chairman of the Plan and Budget Committee at the People's Assembly, no one dares to pursue the matter any further.

To this moment, the public cannot find an answer. And those involved in the case have drowned the newspapers with advertisements claiming that the rise in local iron prices was a direct result of international factors. Others blamed the middleman. We still cannot tell what exactly happened.

The problem is not confined to the iron market. The government, it seems, has allowed a small number of cement companies to monopolise the market and raise prices. And yet again you don't know whom to believe. Everyone is offering his own version of reality. Some blame the cement companies and others are not happy with distributors. Where exactly is the truth?

Recently, the inhabitants of a small island of Qorsaya in the Nile woke up to find themselves surrounded with security forces. The officers came with orders to evict the inhabitants from their homes and farms. The inhabitants had no title deeds, but some of them have been living and working there for decades. Clashes ensued with the police and several protests were mounted afterwards. To this day, no official attempted to clarify the situation. It is, however, being said that investors who also happen to be members of the People's Assembly want the land to build tourist projects on it.

No one is against investment, in tourism or anything else. But there is a certain consideration for human rights and justice that seems to have been gravely compromised. Since the High Dam was built 40 years ago or so, new islands appeared in the river. The government could have regulated ownership or use of these islands, but it did not. Now it is sending police to clear out farmers just because they don't have the right papers. If you ask me, it is the government's disdain for transparency that is encouraging corruption and spreading mistrust in the country.