Dear Editor,
I assume my friends who hold high positions in our society will hang their heads in shame. They tried to persuade myself, themselves and others that a Ramotar presidency will cleanse the Augean stables of corruption, ineptness and discrimination. This is not happening – I give only two unrelated issues.
For example, on Friday, September 28, at around 6.45pm, I had to give the mother of a four-year-old a damp rag to cover his face. Both adult and child were suffering much discomfort in the Meadowbrook area as a result of the aggressive fumes coming from a government sponsored project to spray the area, we are told, to rid it of mosquitoes. I felt slight nausea, much more the child who had just left a doctor after being treated for a respiratory condition.
I propose to request that the opposition ask as follows:
1. Why is spraying in residential areas necessary? I have pleaded with the government to use the money to help the municipality clear and desilt our waterways in the city, so that there is a free flow of water. This will guarantee a mosquito and fly-free environment.
2. What is the substance being used and is it approved for such use by PAHO/WHO? Is it safe?
3. From whom, or how was this chemical obtained?
4. What is the cost of it?
5. Why are citizens not given adequate notice?
6. Are the importers or contractors on the approved list of registered businesses?
7. Did the Ministry of Health import the substance directly?
8. What is the total cost per day of the spraying exercise?
My other concern was the news item where the government is replacing Mr Kellawan Lall with Ms Merlin Udho as Ambassador to Brazil. One would have thought that after the embarrassing revelation coming out of the Jagdeo/Freddie Kissoon, Kaieteur News court case, where it was revealed that all of our ambassadors were of one ethnic political group, the Ramotar administration would seek change. Is the cabinet so obtuse as to fail to respond to a public concern or seek plain decency?
If my memory serves me correctly, Ms Udho is closely associated with the PPP, as was her late husband, former Minister Shree Chand. The PPP seems incapable of looking outside their camp of faithfuls to fill important national and local positions. What a pity – So now Shaik Baksh is to head GWI.
Why is the PPP driving us to the edge? Why did President Ramotar take months to move Mr Lall who, even among PPP supporters, it was recognized, is certainly not diplomatic material. For the sake of Guyana’s children, let us appoint at least one person based on experience and character, who will be willing to serve this nation with professional competence, so we can lift the level of political and administrative competence in our local and foreign service, instead of using party affiliation as the criterion. The November elections asked that we do that, but the government is not listening.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green JP
