People must take on more responsibility for the current situation; encourage and push the politicians to achieve more; and force them to compare Guyana, not with the worst of the world, but with the best, GAP-ROAR MP Everall Franklin says.
In his New Year statement on behalf of the Guyana Action Party (GAP), Franklin said service must be demanded from elected officials, which is based on results and not the empty rhetoric dished out so readily on too many occasions.
“We must see each development, be it a bridge, a road, a new school or pure water supply as our right, something we deserve, not as a gift from government’s lucky draw chest,” he said.
Reflecting on the past year, he said much was not accomplished because there was not enough time, or, not enough will to get the things, which had been set, done.
However, he said there was still a lot to be proud of, one being that the country has not degenerated into the chaos evident around the world and noted in the media each day.
“This is not to say, that we cannot get there. If we do not understand that we are responsible for where we hope to be next year and beyond and do the things which foster, national unity, promote the rule of law and not just good but great governance, we too will make the negative headlines around the world,” he cautioned.
Stating that the time to avoid falling off the cliff of no return was contracting at an enormous rate, he said Guyanese must create industries, and wealth, which make it affordable to pay living wages to workers irrespective of a 16% value-added tax and give each citizen the opportunity to enjoy recreation, good health and a first-class education; which pays for the social net necessary to take care of our elderly, the disadvantaged, the ever increasing ‘junkie’ population, homeless children and adults; to reform the incarcerated in the jails and to attract and keep a larger group of competent law enforcement officers; and to create employment opportunities for the young, who if not taken care of, become a menace to the society.
Wishing the population God’s blessing for 2008, he urged that the new year resolutions should be to prevent that fall over the cliff of no return; put aside pettiness and misplaced loyalties; and be loyal to that which is helping to prepare a better future for all.
