Dear Editor,

The government wants to sell its shares in GT&T, but I see in the newspapers that GT&T contributed $43B since 2000, paying nothing less than $200M a year, and up to last year government collected $1.5B in taxes and $265M in dividends. Should these reports be true, then why sell these shares? They are not redundant, or a liability, or a risk. On the contrary, these shares rake in a handsome return. The PNCR should be commended for opposing this sale.

As a matter of fact, all Guyanese should be opposing this sale. What about the other opposition parties? Are they looking for cheap publicity elsewhere? Or are they just looking after partisan interests. This is a matter of national concern, not only a matter for the PNCR, so the rest should come out of their slumber. The President’s claims that this sale will lead to cheaper costs and enhanced services to consumers seems almost laughable. Where is the rationale for throwing away $1.5B in taxes and $265M in dividends on a yearly basis? What is the selling price for these shares considering their rate of return? There are so many questions that need to be answered and all Guyanese should be demanding the answers. Let’s hear some more voices on this issue.

Yours faithfully,
MS Baksh