Dear Editor,
I am really amazed at the continuous articles being published in all the newspapers concerning the increase of salaries for Ministers of the Government. I am overcome by all the comments.
I agree that as members of our society one has the right to raise issues that concern them however this issue seems to have no end as comments upon comments are being made, neglecting more pressing issues.
It has become clear to all and sundry in Guyana that this new Government in a very short time has been doing a great number of things like improving the sanitation around the country, exposing and bringing to light the many shortcomings of the previous Government leading to some prominent persons being taken to Court for their alleged illegal activities and others are yet to come.
When you look at the excellent and somewhat efficient way this new Government is endeavouring to bring all round improvement to our country, what is the big fuss if they have increased their salary as they did?
This is a normal way of life. You don’t pay the same amount of money for a Toyota as you pay for a BMW or a Mercedes Benz. In the same way you cannot expect the current Government Ministers to work for the same money as the previous Government Ministers. They are like cheese to chalk.
What your present Ministers have achieved so far and what they are working towards are what the previous Govern-ment has failed to achieve in 23 years of Government. I hereby call upon Civil Society to make their presence felt. Quite recently I have been hearing that under the present Constitution Civil Society is entitled to two seats in Parliament.
If this is so then why is it you are not making your presence felt in relation to what is happening?
At present everybody knows and understands that with the oil find in Guyana it is only a matter of time before Guyana will begin to experience change for the better in economic development. So if you have a team that is capable of such development why deliberate so extensively on the Ministers’ salary increase.
The AFC and APNU by winning the last election have demonstrated that if all the races in Guyana cooperate and support each other much could be achieved for all.
What seems to be happening is that the previous Government laid the foundation for the oil exploration but this new Government has the authority to proceed. In this connection the Opposition seems to be picking at every straw in order to cause a Government for the people to fail so that they can take over once more to wreak havoc for themselves, friends and family and not necessarily for the benefit of the entire Guyana as this present Government is trying very hard to do.
The Opposition has been questioning everything this current Government is doing but is silent and says very little on the Venezuela situation or the Suriname issue. No effort has been publicly made to demonstrate any assistance to the rice farmers, miners who are being threatened by the Venezuelan Government etc.
In the circumstances it can be interpreted by the Opposition’s present attitude that they are thinking only about themselves and not the people of Guyana as a whole.
Civil Society where are you? Now is the time to step forward to assist in ensuring that we get maximum cooperation from all citizens of Guyana so that we can go forward together in unity. The Bible says you should forgive absolutely and replace hatred and envy with love and affection. This is what Guyana needs.
Yours faithfully,
Jonas M.F. Coddett
