Dear Editor,
Something is definitely wrong with the leaders of Guyana – all of them. Maybe I should have elected Mr. Peter D’Aguiar to govern this country. Cheddi, Forbes, Janet, Desmond, Donald, David, Bharrat, and now Irfaan all have let me down. I am here on the soil of this country for seventy-six years. I have listened to all of them; it is just talk and little action or work for the poor people of Guyana. They were, and now are, more concerned with votes for future election of their party members for the government of this country.
When the country was poor, they say they would increase salary and wages and provide better living conditions as Guyana’s economy developed which they have failed to do for decades. We all know of our bauxite, timber, gold and other mineral wealth, the potential for hydropower. Now we have oil galore, US dollars in billions giving away to overseas firms and companies. Yet the majority of Guyanese still live below normal living standards and conditions in comparison to the more developed countries where most of us wish to go if we can for improved living conditions; just how the Venezuelans are coming here for betterment.
Thousands are migrating every year. Since I was a boy Guyana’s population never reached a million and may never reach because of emigration from the Guyana situation of low income, poverty, non-potable water, improper housing conditions, lack of medical attention, high food prices, racism, etc.
I will not waste time to elaborate why Guyana is like this when most of us know the social problems and the lack of government’s action to help alleviate them quickly. We see the government’s action with regard to crime, unemployment, urban decay, education (teachers’ pay), and poor health services. “Governments often put social welfare programmes in place to help lift individuals, families and communities out of poverty.” What is done in Guyana? Does the Guyana system speak of Poverty Threshold and look at the size of the family unit and how much money they need to live in poverty or out of poverty?
So many of my villagers on the Corentyne, as well as elsewhere, have left this country for overseas where living is affordable, benefits are great, and there is greater joy in living. They send gifts home to family and friends for housing, food, and entertainment. They do not have to struggle any more to make ends meet. They have enough money for good living. Some buy vehicles for themselves and even for their families in Guyana. The cost of living is affordable and they have government support institutions.
Our leaders really need to learn how to manage the wealth and resources of this nation for the benefit of all and they need to copy good leadership and governance. It should not be just talk. It should be communication and not just conversation. People need to be satisfied with living standards and conditions that a government enables them to enjoy. According to Mr. Rod Henson at the formal reception for the arrival of Guyana’s Lisa Destiny FPSO vessel to Guyana “oil must mean something different for each person in Guyana”. The benefits must trickle down.
Do the Guyanese people have the ability to make such generous contributions as their overseas family and friends? Do we have a healthy life expectancy (another road death? another criminal activity? another homicide?). Do we always have someone to count on? Do we have the freedom to make life choices in many areas? Are we free from corruption at the top so that I will not trickle down? Our GDP has grown tremendously with the oil which caused the American to think that our living standard has ‘sky-rocketed’. Can our leaders explain why these problems are so difficult to solve? Can they not stop the blame game? These are some existing factors that prevent our population from enjoying happiness, comfort and joy while they reside and toil in this country.
Yours sincerely,
Hilmon Henry
