Dear Editor,
One concern of the Guyanese public and a major impediment to real progress is the huge gap between the ideals to which our leaders pay lip service overseas and their contrasting actions at home.
Minister of Finance, the Honourable Ashni Singh, was one of sixty parliamentarians from around the world who met in London in November, 2013, to discuss development in their respective territories.
Minister Singh, while in London, vocally supported a common Action Plan which, arguably, goes against everything his PPP/C government practices in Guyana.
Some items agreed upon, in London, include: ensuring that local laws promote
policies in the national interest; transparency in budgetary allocations; providing a voice to all citizens in policy making, and fostering fair and transparent debate on issues of national import.
Editor, in Guyana, the reality is far removed from the rhetoric to which the
minister recently paid lip service.
Laws are routinely tabled by the PPP/C to benefit cronies. For example, the Sanata deal, which saw legislation enacted, to specifically benefit Bobby Ramroop, Mr. Jagdeo’s friend. By what stretch of the imagination was this virtual giveaway of land in the national interest?
The rationale behind budgetary allocations is shrouded in secrecy, cases in point: NCN, GINA, the airport expansion, Amaila and the Marriott.
Further, the exclusion of the opposition representatives during the formulation of the budget ignores and effectively silences the voices of the Guyanese majority.
The continuing refusal of the PPP/C to hold local government elections is not only an example of poor governance but a direct assault on the constitutionally guaranteed right of the people to self-determination at the grassroots level.
Citizens and groups are routinely persecuted for expressing opinions; the
independent media is an obvious example. Not to mention a certain gentleman who was locked up for daring to express his views in the presence of a minister. And persons who are denied jobs because of their associations and views.
Who can forget the incarceration of a teenager for expressing his disgust by
gesturing at a presidential motorcade?
The four-day meeting in London culminated in an agreement by all parliamentarians present, including Mr. Singh. The agreement established key goals which must be met, to allow for development in the respective territories. These goals are: Democratic governance; Human rights; Sustainable development; Equality; and Global partnership.
Editor, again, the disconnect between Minister Ashni Singh’s overseas rhetoric, and the actions of the PPP/C government in Guyana cannot be more glaringly obvious.
The PPP/C regime recently rejected the generous offer of a US-funded initiative to strengthen democracy in Guyana. And no amount of distracting propaganda can hide that fact. Simply put: The PPP/C shamelessly rejected a project intended to strengthen democracy and establish good governance.
When it comes to human rights, one only needs to look at the number of extra-judicial killings, unlawful detentions, unjustified seizures, political persecutions, and torture of suspects, to put the lie to Minister Singh’s meaningless word-of-mouth “support.” After all, words are wind; we need actions, not rhetoric.
Sustainable development in Guyana is a myth. The massive sellout of our forests and mineral resources tell the tale. In most cases with no benefit to Guyanese in terms of jobs, development, taxes or royalties. The Vaitarna logs deal, the Barama scheme, the BOSAI agreement, the Muri Brasil Ventures scandal and the Berbice bridge are but a few examples.
The Environmental Protection Agency is a toothless poodle under the thumb of the same Minister of Government who approves mining permits: a clear conflict of interest. Just ask the indigenous Guyanese living downstream from mining
concessions who must bathe and cook with polluted water.
In conclusion: The functionaries of the ruling elite continue to attend
international meetings and spout meaningless words. They sign numerous agreements and support numerous resolutions. And when they return to Guyana from their foreign, taxpayer-funded junkets in five star hotels; it is back to business as usual.
They return to their Pradoville mansions, while we, the ordinary Guyanese, struggle to make rent, and pay bills; we eat one meal a day, so we can buy medication, pay 16% VAT and pray that strong winds spare our flimsy roofs.
Guyanese need to take note. Every long rope has an end, and we need to jerk this particular rope; rein in this runaway government and take back our country from those who enrich themselves at our expense.
Yours faithfully,
Mark DaCosta
