Dear Editor,
The majority of minibus owners give operators their bus to work and attach various conditions including times for collecting and dropping off the bus, maintenance, and the target (amount of money for the bus each day).
Now, one of the first things most operators do, is ensure that they put aside their money for the day first so, should any mishap occur, they have their day’s money intact whilst the owners would be without, depending on the time. In other words, they put themselves first.
After being frustrated about the way Guyana was being governed by the previous administration, many of us campaigned vigilantly with this present administration and after this was successful, we were all shocked to see this government reducing themselves similarly to minibus operators, ensuring they are ok first and then down to business.
According to the President, increasing their salaries would stamp out corruption. Ironically, we started to see credible proof of corruption and from this present administration, a bullyish attitude worse than the previous administration. They blatantly continued business as usual and the public formed their own opinion of them. Despite their assurances that things would be better, they choose to take things for granted and were caught with their pants down at the last local government elections.
Before they could fully bounce back, their world was rocked again with the no-confidence motion. The two actions caught them unprepared and they conceded defeat but Nigel Hughes quickly came to their rescue with a strange explanation, which had them running breathless to the High Court and the Appeal Court in which the latter passed a judgment in their favour. Now, the Opposition is running to a much higher court for satisfaction.
The action by the government clearly shows that they will not be giving up power and we also see a rush by this administration to award and finish pending projects.
Editor, with all that happening recently, all sorts of things could be said in favour of, and against this administration but social media seems to be buzzing with news and videos that should be of great concern to us all. There are various incidents of bullying attitudes being shown. There are incidents of students and teacher being involved in illicit drugs. Then we have the various hospitals having numerous infant deaths where most of those concerned believe that negligence is the main cause. I am not scared to pen it but at many public places you go to conduct any sort of business, there are serious changes in attitudes and when you voice your opinion, it falls on deaf ears. These behaviours are strange and alarmingly, it seems to be originating from schools. My only logical reasoning is that because they are seeing the actions of the Government and the Government’s abuse of power, they are telling themselves they could get away with whatever they are doing too.
Yours faithfully,
Sahadeo Bates
