Dear Editor,
I am not a supporter of the PPP government, neither am I affiliated with APNU or the AFC. I am just a teenager who has an interest in Guyana’s indescribable politics.
Over the past several months, the citizenry has witnessed the combined opposition’s actions in the tenth Parliament, where they have abused their one-seat majority to block crucial legislation and policies that are beneficial to the social and economic well-being of the people of this country. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have together frustrated the passage of the amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of the Financing of Terrorism Act. As a result of this, Guyana will be subject to blacklisting as a potential threat to the international financial system. It is the same APNU and AFC who had tried effortlessly on their campaign trails and rallies to convince the electorate that they would have a better life if they won the election. If any more sanctions are to come Guyana’s way, they should be blamed along with the incumbent PPP.
We now can fast forward to the situation between the Guyana government and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), where the WICB had decided to pull the third Test match of the series between the West Indies and New Zealand, which was scheduled to be held at the National Stadium, Providence. The PPP/C was able to pass the Bill without the support of the AFC, while winning the support of the APNU. It is therefore the responsibility of the AFC to explain to the thousands of cricket fans here in Guyana, why they did not lend their support to the passage of the Cricket Administration Bill. We cannot blame the WICB for doing what they have done. The management of the WICB has taken the bull by the horns and confronted the issue. They are not like our leaders in Guyana who do not address crucial issues in a tactful and timely manner.
Nonetheless, the Ramotar administration must be transparent and open to engaging in tripartite talks with the opposition to tackle the scourges that are plaguing our country. The members of PPP and the PNC are not like their founders – Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham. These great leaders amid their political differences, had united to tackle issues from time to time. If it hadn’t been for their sacrifice and perseverance, Guyana would not have gained its Independence from the British.
It is easy to conclude that the APNU and the AFC are behaving this way to gain political mileage as they continue to engage in the proverbial game of political football with the lives of Guyanese who voted for them. The PPP, on the other hand, continues to misuse taxpayers’ dollars with their boasting about their controversial projects (the Marriott Hotel and the Amaila Falls Hydro Project) and some of its officials continue to participate in corruption in high and low places.
Yours faithfully,
Kobe Smith
