Dear Editor,
We are all familiar with the shrug of the shoulders and the hopeless tone with which most Guyanese respond to distressing situations in their lives: “Well, wha yu expect? Dis is Guyana!” But even though the majority may have slipped into apathy regarding our woes − the pervasive corruption, the crime, the shameful non-education of our children, the ubiquitous heaps of stinking garbage, the clogged drains, and so on, and so on − it still occasionally happens that a lone voice is raised in protest.

Just a week or so ago, a resident of Subryanville wrote complaining about the noise that bursts forth every Sunday evening on the seawall east of the Russian Embassy building. Shortly thereafter, Petamber Persaud added his objection to the noise made by a businessplace near his home. The thunderous pounding of minibuses is frequently the subject of letters to the editor, as is the problem of loud music wafted from the Providence Stadium or from the National Park.

Yet despite all these cries from a beleaguered and sleep-deprived populace, absolutely nothing gets done by those who have the authority to stop the racket.

Worse, they themselves are often the ones making the noise. It is 3 o’clock on a Sunday afternoon, but as I write, I am able to retain my sanity only by stuffing ear-plugs into my ears − and even they help only a little. It would appear that the Minis-try of Tourism is having a ‘Fun Day’ at the Exhibition Site, Sophia, with the result that all of Lamaha Gardens must endure the loud music emanating from that location. Believe me, it is no ‘Fun Day’ for us! But just what does one do when when one’s government is the culprit? Where does one turn? Certainly any report to the police meets with a standard response: “We kyaan do nuttin. Is Guvvment ting.” All that the serf can do is beg for mercy from the Lord of the Manor!

Clearly “Someone” has to give permission for these “events” to be held − in the case of the Exhibition Site, the authority, I gather, is the Minister of Trade and Tourism. On behalf of my neighbours, I wish to request that those who give permission for these fêtes to take place should draw up strict guidelines regarding noise levels − and put in place measures to ensure that the guidelines are adhered to. You cannot leave it to the discretion of the fellow with the sound machine to decide just how loud or soft the music should be because he’s probably deaf already − an occupational hazard!

Further, could the public please have some emergency telephone numbers to call whenever a noise nuisance occurs? As far as I am aware, the by-laws of the city still state that it is unlawful for anyone − including public officials − to make a noise that will disturb those in the neighbourhood.

I am sure that our political leaders will be eager to show us that they are upholding the law in this matter, and so we can all look forward to an early abatement of this paralysis-inducing noise.
Yours faithfully,
Joyce Jonas