ORDINARY Egyptian citizens are wondering whether the Government of Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif is managing the national economy efficiently. Is it doing enough to control prices and guarantee the uninterrupted supply of basic commodities for low-income and poor citizens, as well as ensuring people have an uninterrupted supply of electricity? Has it come up with fair tax policies to ease the burden on low-paid employees? Has it increased the yields of strategic crops, such as wheat, sugarcane and cotton? Has it drawn up transparent investment policies, to avoid more financial scandals involving State-owned deals? Has it made the nation's streets and highways safer? These same citizens have been furthered surprised by the beleaguered Government releasing a barrage of statements, informing the public of a simultaneous series of crises having broken out, indicative of inconsistent ministerial policies. Bewildered Egyptians must now be wondering whether Cabinet ministers are the kind of people who never ask themselves whether their policies might backfire at the end of the day, with the citizens themselves having to pay the price. Nor does it seem that Cabinet ministers discuss their ministries' ambitions and strategies with other ministers in the presence of their Premier. If they did, they could work better together and we would all benefit. The public's dismay has increased with the Ministry of Electricity appealing to its subscribers to rationalise their power consumption; with the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, complaining that there's going to be a shortage of wheat; and with the Ministry of Social Solidarity appearing to have lost control of domestic prices. When and in what sector will the next crisis erupt?
