Dear Editor,
Guyana for all intents and purposes remains divided and our oil bounty is the fuel being used to widen the division. The President has publicly committed in his Emancipation Day address to “Never marginalized African Guyanese”. The “One Guyana” agenda, he emphasized, is aimed at building a prosperous and inclusive Guyana. Such statements and promises are no longer substantial in a country which is divided by race and economics. There are as many very poor Indian Guyanese as they are African Guyanese, and the President, of all, persons is aware of this fact. To create a genuine “One Guyana” agenda, there must be a solid consolidated plan of how One Guyana will work to bring about inclusiveness and prosperity to all. One Guyana will remain a slogan and dream in the clouds if it is not definitively explained.
The President must explain his One Guyana plan to the nation and clearly state how it will work in the interest of all Guyanese of all shades and political choices. At the moment, President Ali must know that his initiative, which sounds and looks good, is meaningless until spelt out for all to understand. How will it achieve unity, how will it foster good will among all, how can we all help the President to make his “One Guyana” a wonder work? Are the details still being worked on? Will it address all political parties? Will it include all Christian and non-Christian denominations? Will it include clubs and other private organizations? Will it include schools at all levels? In short, will it include Civil Society across the board? These are things the Guyanese people must know and be part of if it is to be a meaningful agenda. If it is the intention or perception that “One Guyana” is a “PPP thing” which has no input from those whom it expects buy-in from then we all know where it will end up and who will benefit from it.
Our opposition has become unreliable and any government who knows this will exploit it fully. Guyana today is far different from Guyana just 5 years ago. There are so much monetary resources available to this government like never before, or as Guyanese would say, “Like fus time” that it can do and say as it pleases, make no mistake about it. In yesterday’s press alone, I saw a 4-page pull-out supplement with just over 200 postage stamp size pictures proclaiming what “we have done for you with your Oil Money”. What I am not seeing is how we have controlled the burden for all Guyanese as it relates to the cost of living. How we plan to reduce PAYE and VAT, how we plan to increase wages to a more livable level, how we plan to build more trade schools and improve our teachers’ and nurses’ wages and standard of living. How we plan to deal with the legislation for a Petroleum Commission to regulate and oversee all aspects of the Oil and Gas Industry. How and when will the EPA and its arm, the Environmental Assessment Board operate independent of Government influence.
So, when we have one party calling the shots and making all the decisions regardless of what the nation thinks or feel, then it must be incumbent on them to consult through other available ways on what it is we the Guyanese people want. Contrary to what a few small, minded people say, we do not want to be the Dubai of the Caribbean and still have a dray cart mentality. We want our government to plan our future consistent with our present needs until such time as we are able to make the next step. This attitude of forging ahead, regardless of our current circumstances, will only lead to an angry, desperate, and dissatisfied nation leading to conflict we can do without. Mr. President, I end the way I began by respectfully suggesting that you give us your personal view on how you see and expect your “One Guyana” agenda to work for all Guyanese. It is a great idea but lack substance at the moment.
Sincerely,
B.A Ramsay
