The problem at the zoo is not money, it is systemic and political

Dear Editor,

The Stabroek News editorial on the zoo is revealing and a shame (‘Elephant’ February 26). We recall the days when we could proudly take visitors to our zoo, but not so today. Yet the NCN response is a smoke-screen.

I will not say anything about the city, since at a meeting with the two Ministers of Local Government, a promise was made to review our relations.

But we cannot ignore the fact that the zoo is located in the city, but since it is a central government responsibility we would have seen the zoo as a bright gem among ordinary stones in Georgetown. But alas we see evidence of what could not so much be a lack of funds, but plain government crassness. Government is not short of money – just glance at the Auditor General report, and their request for supplementary provisions. So money could not be the problem.

The problem is systemic and political.

On Sunday, February 26, 2012, I visited the zoo, and there was no running water. The zoo is the worst I have seen anywhere. At the end of the day citizens must unite; parties must act to put an end to this ‘confounded nonsense.’

If the President means any good many of us patriots could help him clean the Augean stables and remove the square pegs in round holes. He should give good genuine Guyanese a chance to use our vast resources for the benefit of the people and not a few supporters.

Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green JP