Mr F Skinner’s letter (‘Wealth transforms and strengthens one’s position in the political process,’ SN, November 19) confirms we are walking a different path towards empowerment. I respect the path he’s chosen and expect him to respect mine. There is no frustration on my part since the struggle I embraced is continuous. I am, however, very disappointed that those who walked with me on principles and fundamental rights prior to October 1992 have today abandoned them at the altars of political expediency and ethnic loyalty. After 43 years of political independence the descendants of slaves and indentured servants should not be struggling for basic human rights.
One does not have to have wealth to strengthen his/her position in the political process. Our political process is reliant on upholding the laws and constitution, one man one vote, respect for rights, among other like principles. In this environment rights are non-negotiable. The government is duty bound to respect the rights of the poor and the wealthy, equally. Anyone who uses the state’s resources to discriminate against or transgress the rights of any individual or group(s) is operating in violation of the constitution.
The pursuit of wealth does not operate in a vacuum; it relies on the institutions of the state to facilitate it, to make it possible. If the African sees his economic well-being tied to being an employee, employer or self-employed, working in the private or state sector, s/he should be free to pursue it in a unencumbered environment. All employment is important, has advantages and disadvantages, risks and opportunities. There are many cases where efforts at wealth creation have been met with denials by the government.
This current systematic violation began in November 1992 with the targeting of public servants, career diplomats and public officials in Customs, state corporations and companies. Independent economic efforts have seen resistance and flat-out refusals. A workers’ proposal to establish an investment fund from their pension plan valued in excess of $ 2.5 billion was slammed down by the government which thereafter broke it up.
The pursuit of education is being stymied with the denial of state funding to the Critchlow Labour College. The workers attempt to buy out BERMINE and African businessmen’s proposals to lease Everton were rejected by the government. The effort by PNC MP Deborah Backer to have Parliament entertain a motion to regularise African lands was thrown out by the PPP. With a transport in hand that owner could go to the bank and use it as collateral for business and home ownership. The current effort to deny a property sale to Tony Reid should not happen if the government adheres to the privatization rule which offers the sale to the next highest bidder when the highest bidder withdraws.
Examine the economic problems in regions and city councils not won by the PPP and note the many instances to stifle the right to economic development. The RDCs submit their plans but central government determines budgetary allocation and spending. In Georgetown, an environmental tax on plastic bottles is received by the government but the M&CC pays the bill to rid the city of them. African contractors are denied contracts and rely on sub-contracting for work. All know what is happening with wages/salary and working conditions in the public sector.
Africans should always be encouraged to strive for greater economic empowerment. However, let it be recorded the instances of those who have tried and continue to try and are denied the right to by a government which misuses the state’s apparatus to further its discriminatory agenda. This issue is about people’s rights – the right to representation, ownership, prosperity and decision-making, all guaranteed in conventions and the constitution and are deserving of activism. What manner of government would torpedo the efforts of a people to legitimately own property and prosper? What manner of people would support such actions by ignoring them and engaging in denials, attacks or excuses?
I cannot recall an F Skinner or promised assistance to source funds for his project. As such I’d appreciate SN sharing my email address with him to have this matter clarified.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
