Dear Editor,
Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy Karen Williams recently said the US government is contemplating implementing a system of leverage where some of the remittance fees can go directly towards specific development. The systems would vary from country to country, suggesting the USA will collaborate with the sitting government of that country to determine use of those fees. I suspect the USA will pass a law mandating that a portion of the fees collected by remittance businesses must be allocated to development in the intended country. That money will either be collected by the USA or the companies will be directed to spend on specific projects in the target country. The bottom line is this money will probably eventually end up in the hands of our government. Both the USA and the Guyana governments have no place putting their hands on our remittances.
People should complain bitterly if the fees are raised. They should complain bitterly if remittance companies have to pay part of their fees to the Guyana government because they will try to pass it back onto you. Some of that money may be corrupted away. The poor people of this nation already pay some of the highest per capita taxes in the world. Their remittances are already being taxed and are ending up in the hands of the government. ‘Don’t touch my money’ should be the mantra. More money to this government does not translate to commensurate development. It translates to more corruption.
Yours faithfully,
Michael Maxwell
