Dear Editor,
Guyana is at a crossroads. A wrong turn could lead to its worst nightmare: its failure as a state. The right turn as outlined in the AFC Manifesto offers a chance at economic stability, recovery, growth, the creation of jobs and an end to the incessant corruption and crime as well as domestic violence and police brutality/murders which have spiralled out of control.
But this will require, first, someone taking charge of the government which Mr Ramotar has not done so far. Second, the administration has to start implementing a credible plan to reduce the high unemployment, corruption, crime, and the illegal trafficking of narcotics. The AFC’s ‘The Right Turn for Guyana’ is designed to deal with the aforementioned issues. As a minority regime one would tend to believe that it would invite the majority opposition to support its programme. It is a shame that the minority PPP regime has not done that; instead, the Ramotar regime has allowed its three mouthpieces to slander the opposition. What is Mr Ramotar thinking? Why has he allowed his mouthpieces (who are Jagdeoites) to hijack his administration?
The PPP is on trial for not dealing with the crux of Guyana’s problems – corruption, crime, lack of jobs, poor governance and the lack of transparency in awarding contracts. Also how the PPP regime spends the taxpayers’ money on risky projects such as the Marriott Hotel is cause for concern. The building of a mega hotel in Guyana and the handing over of the restaurant and club to a separate owner at this time when hotel occupancy is at roughly 50 per cent does not make good economic sense. The restaurant and the club are the two money-making ventures for most hotels. And this is taking place at a time when tourism is at its lowest level due in large part to the massive increase in crime. These are the hard facts the regime must grapple with before investing taxpayers’ money in such a dicey scheme.
Furthermore, constant borrowing from the Chinese and others will eventually lead to huge debt-servicing cost which, in turn, could siphon much needed cash from critical areas such as education, health care, national security and the maintenance of public infrastructure.
We believe that the government has to borrow less and invest in projects that will improve the lives of the poor and the working class, something the Marriott Hotel will not do. During the 2011 elections campaign, the PPP said it had the formula to end corruption and crime; overhaul the public sector for efficiency and cost; create jobs; and revise the tax system to minimize evasion and corruption and to ensure that more people, especially the wealthy elite, paid their fair share.
But after nearly a year in office, the Ramotar administration is proving to be as incompetent as the Jagdeo regime. Mr Ramotar’s indecision about visiting Linden during the unrest and his lack of ability to end corruption, reduce crime and create jobs tells the whole story. His only expertise is to indulge in pettiness, cheap talk and blame others for his and his cabal’s failures. This is surely not the proper way to govern. And since the PPP has abandoned its manifesto, we are suggesting that the AFC Manifesto – ‘The Right Turn for Guyana’ – is the way forward. Folks, please read it. It makes good sense.
Mr Ramotar’s failure to act as President for all the people of Guyana and not only those who supported the PPP could cause a nightmarish spectre to materialise. Continued waffling and indecision by him, and allowing the Jagdeoites to commandeer his regime have resulted in more corruption, higher unemployment and crime that could worsen. Guyana’s unemployed youths and the poor and the working class are restless. They see no future in the PPP regime that cannot create jobs and improve their living standards.
Where is the government? Where is the leadership? Rather than sending the Jagdeoites on NCN TV to spread propaganda, distortions and untruths, Mr Ramotar should tell the people the truth and embark on a new course. The AFC manifesto is a good source that provides the answers to the country’s woes.
The President should wake up and get the Jagdeoites out of his government, make it functional and get us out of this mess. If he has to hide from the Jagdeoites and read the AFC manifesto, then he should not hesitate to do so. It will be a start in the right direction for Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Asquith Rose
Harish S Singh
