Dear Editor,
Editor, I pen this letter with a sense of profound frustration and disappointment as I reflect on my ongoing ordeal with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). It is disheartening to convey my utter exasperation with the seemingly never-ending delays and lack of transparency in obtaining a transport for a property I paid for in full six years ago. When I embarked on the journey to secure the transport for my property, I was informed that the process would be completed within a reasonable timeframe of six months. When I returned after 6 months I was told it usually takes 6 – 8 months. I checked again at the end of the 8 month timeframe, still no transport. I still exercised some patience and checked one more time ten months later from the date of application. Editor, after 10 months the staff at CH&PA still cannot give me my transport or much less, an approximate time when my transport will be available. I stand, ten months later, still waiting for that elusive piece of paper that legally recognizes my property rights.
Where in the world does an uncorrupted government agency treat its citizens like this? The lack of a transport not only affects my sense of comfort, security and investment but also raises significant concerns about the efficiency and accountability of the CH&PA. As a law-abiding citizen who has followed all the required procedures and paid the necessary fees, I am left bewildered by the persistent delays and lack of communication. How can any organization function with such slothfulness and lack of accountability and disregard for the time and resources of its citizens? Editor, can you imagine the disappointment I feel when colleagues tell me that they have been called to collect their transport, given the fact that my colleagues have house lots in schemes that were opened years after the scheme where I have been allocated a house lot? Editor, sometimes I wonder if the champions of our independence made a grave mistake in fighting for our independence. I believe we would have been a far more developed country with better services given the abundance of our natural resources.
The state of affairs in our country as it regards how the government treats it citizens leaves much to be desired. Guyanese need to have their thinking caps on when they are singing “Not a Blade of Grass” or “Guyana the Free” by Valerie Rodway. Editor, if one compares Venezuela and the countries of the Caribbean with the exception of Monserrat and Haiti to Guyana, one will find them more developed and its citizens enjoying a better standard of living. It is a shame that we have diverse and abundance of resources compared to our regional neighbours and not enjoying a better life than they are. Editor, it appears that this patriotism we have been groomed to exercise is just a facade and is not working out well for the ordinary citizens. This appears to be a hopeless situation for our country.
Editor, I am imploring, I am pleading, I am appealing to the relevant authorities at the CH&PA to recognize the urgency of this matter and take immediate steps to rectify the situation. Efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability must become the norm, not the exception. Citizens MUST not have to endure years of uncertainty and frustration when seeking to secure their property rights. In conclusion, I am pleading with the Central Housing and Planning Authority to handle my transport application in an expeditious manner, since I have urgent need for it. I call upon the responsible authorities to expedite the process, communicate transparently with citizens, and ensure that justice is served to those who have diligently followed the rules and fulfilled their obligations.
Sincerely,
B. Persaud
