Let’s support gov’t’s spending policies and create another Venezuela

Dear Editor, 

It’s usually not my style to directly reply to or attack individuals who express their opinion, but after reading a recent letter written by Lenox R. O. Shuman, MP, Deputy Speaker, and another letter in support of Shuman’s opinion, written by one Gloria Holder, I’ve decided against my beliefs and will express my opinion. Firstly, the responsibility lie squarely at the feet of the APNU+AFC and the PPP/C, for whatever scrapings Guyana is receiving from her ‘Oil Boom’, because of their choice to work for the best of their interest, instead of Guyana’s. Regarding the infrastructure development, in an earlier Letter to the Editor, I used our neighbour, Venezuela, as an example showing how they were once one of the biggest oil producers, embarked on massive infrastructural work, much of which remain white elephants today. Hunger, lack of jobs are some of the main reasons its citizens are fleeing that country. Trinidad & Tobago also slowly seem to be edging towards being in a similar economic situation as Venezuela, and that could be another embarrassment for an oil-producing country.

The failures of such wealthy countries are solely the result of greed, corruption, and lack of careful long-term planning, which is the Government’s responsibility, entrusted to them by the citizens of the country. The rewards of oil belong to all Guyanese, but the Government, elected by Guyanese to manage our affairs strongly believe that they are the owners. It is atrocious to believe that the newly discovered oil will move Guyana forward. Before Guyana was producing bauxite, rice, sugar, gold, timber, etc. Infrastructural work was going on before the discovery of oil; massive corruption was continuously being exposed, whilst inferior work continued and Guyanese had to sit and watch as money was being given away because they were so divided by racism, they could not unite to challenge these policies. We are in such an embarrassing state, that someone barefacedly writes a letter ridiculing us, and tells us that we are not entitled to any free money!

Editor, Shuman catapulted himself into politics under the guise of representing the Amerindians in Guyana, and so far, has successfully attained the position of Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker. I find it very hypocritical of Shuman to pen a letter praising this government’s intention of building a stadium and airport in Berbice, amongst others, and go beyond the limits to explain how it would benefit the country, when the majority of Amerindians he is supposed to be representing, are living without electricity, proper medical facilities, roads and lack of jobs proper access to technology, etc. I’m assuming that his agenda has been fulfilling, so their well-being will have to be represented by another ambitious political opportunist.

Finally Editor, Gloria’s missive seem to fully support the government’s intentions of spending Guyana’s money the way they want to. No mention was made about the heavy spending on buildings that are being left to rot away. The building on High Street, where the old GBC used to be housed, is the call centre to create jobs. What about the contracts that took years to complete, costing more money than what the contracts were signed for, and at the completion, it’s not what was supposed to be delivered. Then the various roads that are being built, have to be redone without any proper service.

Here’s another interesting point to note.  Because of the lockdown arising from the Covid, many radio and TV channels were set up to broadcast signals, throughout the country and special emphasis was placed on riverain and hinterland areas to broadcast the Guyana Learning Channel. Maybe the writer should investigate how many of these stations are functioning and to what capacity. How many are broadcasting at 25% of their expected power and the cost? There’s more to this broadcasting story which I will address at another time. What I am certain of, is that Government is rushing to spend Guyana’s money foolishly, and selected people are benefitting whilst the majority of the people in Guyana are complaining about the economic situation here. So, yes, the tone of Gloria’s letter seems to suggest that Guyanese don’t deserve any money, it’s just to develop infrastructure. Let’s support them and create another Venezuela!

Sincerely,

Sahadeo Bates