Dear Editor,
Representatives of the international community and leaders of the private sector have acknowledged the election results and urged a return to normalcy in the country. As Guyanese, I think we as a nation need to mature politically and accept that elections results, when not fouled, reflect the wishes of the voting public. There seems little dispute that Mr. Donald Ramotar has been elected president. He therefore commands our collective respect for his office
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Few can dispute that conditions for Guyanese have generally been for the better in recent years. Conditions for businesses have generally improved, with the strengthening of Customs and a number of other regulatory agencies. Growth in external trade, with special mention of our neighbours, is indicative of fairly strong levels of income growth, uneven though this may be. We as a nation have a fairly clear picture of what we want for ourselves and our children :jobs, a home, car, access to proper education and health care, clean water and lights. Not by any means the least, we also want a government and justice system free of corruption and waste and misuse of the nation’s financial and natural resources.
Our major political parties, namely the PPP/C, the APNU and the AFC, must recognize that they are writing Guyana’s political and economic history. In doing so, they need to be cognizant of exactly where we are as a nation, and where we want to be.The political parties need to reflect seriously on their duty to the nation in parliament with respect to presenting and debating issues in the national interest. Parliament needs to be reconsidered as the boardroom for the business of our country. This is not any more about egos, who is mightier than whom, or politicking on party lines. It’s about presenting and debating issues and making prudent decisions that will bring the dreams of Guyana’s children to reality in their lifetime. It’s about attracting investment to create jobs; it’s about that home and car; it’s about providing access to clean water; it’s about getting cheaper electricity; it’s about raising wages in the public sector to a living wage rate; it’s about delivering quality education and health care; it’s about stamping out corruption and financial waste; it’s about Guyana’s strategy for development. Parliament is not a playground. It’s where our representatives have to deliver on our dreams and aspirations.
With these few thoughts and reflections, I therefore urge the entire nation to retire from belabouring the elections results, and our elected representatives in particular, to get back to the business of running our country.
Yours faithfully,
Craig Sylvester
