Dear Editor,
This two hundred thousand (200,000) dollars per family shift to one hundred thousand ($100,000) dollars to every Guyanese over 18 years within a few days exposes a serious weakness in the thinking administration and delivery of benefits to the Guyanese everywhere, but before I add my two-bits to a fundamental flaw in Government which is a hostility to any form of consultation and it appears even within the ruling cabal.
Last Friday, with family members we journeyed to Fruta Conquerors Football Ground, Tucville and there we encountered the essence of politeness and graciousness from a female officer who appeared to be in charge of the unit. This display of kind consideration by persons dealing with the public ought not to be ignored. It’s like a breath of fresh air in dismal and dark days.
Several editorials and comments have been made on this latest palliative pronounced by the top-brass of the PPP. With the rising cost of living and the Government on a spending spree, no one particularly those in the low-income bracket would not welcome this cash payment.
However, those who know Guyana, its history and our potential must know that good sense and prudence are not characteristic features of this government. The fact that this spending spree is ignoring a structured programme to take advantage of this magnificent almost unbelieveable large sums available from oil and gas, gold and other natural resources is regrettable.
A Government that is truly a caring one and interested in the long term benefits would first ensure that education is free from kindergarten to university and by a massive and well thought out programme to ensure that those who teach and manage education are well paid and recognised and given a place of honour and importance.
Second, ensure a credible Public Health Programme, where in spite of our largesse, people who cannot afford to purchase certain drugs and hisse for medical procedures end up in the cemetery. Education provides an opportunity for every Guyanese child to develop his/her full potential. But what is evident today with these large sums of money available is that occasional cash-handouts will not narrow the gap between the rich and the poor.
The time has come where Guyaneae must demand open dialogue with those who are harvesting our natural resources so that we benefit much more from our God-given resources. With a well thought out programme, as a result of meaningful consultation with our women groups, youth groups, credible social and religious organisations and the political parties, Guyana with no natural disasters, such as hurricanes, moonons, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc can be the richest country in the world, not on paper, but where everyone in this and future generations can be speared the trauma of want and poverty. I’ve said before the stumbling block is the perception of corruption and the unwillingness to seek meaningful consultation.
Today, some members of my staff and folks in parts of Georgetown had to purchase water to have a bath and face the disgust of no electricity in the fastest growing economy in the world.
Yours truly,
Hamilton Green
Elder