Dear Editor,
The hope for fairness, good governance and the equal distribution of our natural resources to all Guyanese people, has been replaced by cynicism, despair and gross corruption.
As a nation with a plethora of natural resources and intelligent human resources, I am persuaded that we are failing to develop as we should. Guyana is failing because of government’s unwillingness or its inability to transform itself into a government that is transparent and accountable despite the countless opportunities. Government is unsuccessful in giving service to its people, all of the people irrespective of religion, race, political affiliations or geographical location, but most importantly, to free itself from the iron grasp of corruption that is mutating its entire being.
Guyana after gaining independence has certainly made significant leaps from once being a colonized nation, thanks to our ancestors, founding fathers, father or fathers of the nation, but most importantly the people who would have contributed to these changes that brought good to the land.
The ultimate good is the freedom that we cherish, love and take for granted.
That freedom that our foreparents fought so hard for and died for, so that we could enjoy it, is in jeopardy. It is being threatened by corruption that seems to be the order of the day in our country.
Corruption is not a new problem; it is a human problem and it has existed in some form in almost all societies. Both sides of Guyana’s divide can speak of and provide evidence of corruption if asked. But none if asked can refute honestly that after the demise of Burnham, Hoyte and the Jagans, some elements of the Guyana government and the opposition have been the most corrupt in the history of Guyana’s politics.
While one is cognizant that corruption is a problem, it has now developed itself as a crisis. This crisis is robbing honest Guyanese people of opportunities they deserve, opportunities, which many of them are seeking in foreign lands.
Guyana is too rich a nation with so many natural resources that the world wants, for us a people of less than a million to be so poor, to have so few opportunities in our land.
Why do we as Guyanese have such difficulty in acquiring a piece of land, for so much money? Why do we, in a land of many waters have to buy black tanks and bottled water to drink? Why can’t we seek proper medical care where we live? Why do politicians go overseas for their medical care? Isn’t our service good enough? Why do politicians send their kids to private schools and universities abroad? Is something wrong with the schools and university they build and equip at home? Why can’t taxpayers see their tax dollars being spent on longer lasting roads, bridges and proper sea defences? Why does government want to expand the airport when they can’t get another airline to come to our shores or negotiate better airfares for its citizens who are being exploited by an airline with our flag carrier status? Why is government stalling local government elections? Is this the democracy government constantly boasts about?
I know that while there are reports that point to strong economic growth in the country, many of our people live in poverty, are victims of unemployment. The margin between the rich and the poor has significantly increased; that is the growth most Guyanese are aware of.
I’m also aware that the vast majority of the people desperately want change, change for the better. I know that people are no longer being fooled by flowery speeches of sweet nothings and empty promises.
The powers that be must realize that if the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists, and protect them and promote their welfare, all else is lost.
An accountable, transparent government can bridge the gap and break this vicious cycle of corruption and mistrust.
As Frederick Douglass once said, “power concedes nothing without a demand,” we the people of Guyana have to demand and pressure the government to seriously address the issue of corruption.
Guyana needs an opposition with steel in its backbone and venom in its voice to truly represent and be the keepers of our inherent rights, values and tax dollars. We need more Kaieteur and Stabroek News media, more Benschops, Freddie Kissoons, Christopher Rams, Cathy Hughes, Jermaine Figueiras ‒ some whistleblowers and many others to champion the fight against this insidious corruption that is plaguing and weakening our beautiful Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Jermaine Figueira
