Dear Editor,
I propose that Berbice should secede and become an independent nation-state. The reasons for secession are multifaceted but straightforward. I will just discuss three reasons for now. First, for too long the ancient county of Berbice with about a population of 150,000 has been marginalized, deprived and ignored to meet the needs of the rest of Guyana, mainly the other two counties of Demerara and Essequibo. Take, for example, since Guyana achieved its independence in 1966, there has not been any significant development in Berbice. All political decisions are made in Georgetown and then disseminated to other areas in Guyana. All major offices and institutions (public and private) are located in Georgetown. The main airport is located not too far from the capital city. The list goes on and on. One more example will suffice, where are the major hospitals located? Of course, they are in Georgetown. Consequently, Berbice has been treated like a colony of Georgetown, Demerara. Is this an example of internal colonialism?
Next is that the unification of Berbice, Demerara and Esssequibo was a figment of a colonial imagination that became a reality in 1831. The British colonizers thought it would be easier for them to govern the three colonies if they were one centralized unit, which then hurriedly became British Guiana. The independent minded Guyanese leaders carried this fabricated colonial legacy. They never questioned it, at least not openly. However, the time has come to take a serious look at a serious movement to dismantle this colonial arrangement because it has not worked, and will not work, for Berbicians. Some may cry that I am promoting the cancer of insularity and parochialism in an already troubled and divided society. That might very well be true. But secession movements are not uncommon in the Caribbean. I have just delivered a paper at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Pedrias on the secession movement in the United States Virgin Islands. St Croix, with a population 55,000, is currently trying to secede from St Thomas and St John and develop its own special relations with the United States. Likewise, Tobago is trying to secede from Trinidad; Barbuda from Antigua. Professor Ralph Premdas has written extensively on the secession movement in Nevis, with a population of about 10,000. Therefore, Berbice can secede.
Finally, for now, the secession of Berbice will proceed within the boundaries of law and order as well as the will of Berbicians themselves to become independent. They will have a choice and say in the matter. And more importantly, I do not propose any violence or revolutionary means to achieve the goal of independence.
Yours faithfully,
Lomarsh Roopnarine
