Dear Editor,
What is going on with the appointment of people who were in the military, to government positions? They are being given critical positions as heads of commissions of inquiry and heads of organizations. Are we becoming a militarized state? Is the government playing mind games with us? Is this a psychological attack meant to intimidate us and make us discard any urge to stand up and speak out? These are questions which the media should ask and be given the opportunity to publicly receive answers to. Why isn’t the Presi-dent holding press conferences? When he was campaigning his presence was ubiquitous and he was very vocal. He spoke of travelling the length and breadth of Guyana to see the living conditions, and identify the needs, of our people. This is no longer the case. Was it a case of wanderlust which has now expanded to overseas travel and will remain confined to such peregrination?
We need answers and programmes to achieve “a good life for all.” It is a poor strategy of the government to only want to talk to the person in the street when they are campaigning but letting the warmth and outreach die with their accession to power. Is the good life intended only for members of the government, their families, relatives and friends? Another election is coming.
What about the second rejection of the Opposition Leader’s list of candidates for the position of Chairman of the Elections Commission (not that Bharrat Jagdeo has put forward a suitable list)? Why such a long delay and no communication to the public on this? The President had said at the time of local elections that it was imperative to hasten towards having those elections and their associated regional leaders. The appointment of someone to this position needs to be similarly treated. Mr Granger needs to face the nation and provide us with a decision on the appointment of someone to this vital position.
He had said that the graduates of UG will be provided with jobs, but to date the majority of them remain unemployed and are seeking a way out, and this will have a calamitous result. It is a nightmare for the precious lives and livelihoods of the young people of this nation who have to combat the challenges of life without proper role models and a society with lawlessness prevailing, and low employment. The exodus will continue and so will the downward spiral if our President and his Cabinet do not expeditiously address these serious issues which we believe that he is capable of doing. However, reminders are necessary.
Yours faithfully,
Conrad Barrow
