"The Roop Column"
Kaieteur News - September 30, 2007
My Top Ten - Is any on your list?
I feel a strong conviction that the citizens of Guyana must expose the
issues that affect us the most.
However, there are many who do not speak out because they are afraid of the
consequences.
In any nation in change, there has to be individuals who are willing to go
as far as to risk their lives for the sake of the good of the nation.
This is a true patriot. I consider myself one of these individuals who will
face the consequences for making my voice heard.
As citizens, we sometimes are so caught up in our own troubles that we stop
paying attention to the policies that result in poverty, or ignore them
because we are afraid since we do not have a viable security force to
protect us if we say anything or stand up for our convictions.
A sad commentary on our democracy is that there are many Guyanese who feel
that they will be punished by our government for expressing their rightful
voice.
After I announced my candidacy for the 2011 elections, I had many
individuals who were working in our companies or volunteering on our social
programmes who suddenly became afraid because of the fear of what the PPP
(in their own words) will do to their families and businesses.
Number 1: In 2005, when the President released the National Drug Plan,
many individuals felt that this was a new beginning for the Administration.
However, since nothing has been done, one can only conclude that this was a
fake.
Now the U.S. State Department reports, which accuse both the Government and
the drug lords in Guyana of building a phantom economy, threaten the basic
security of our citizens. As of today, the DEA is in Trinidad but not yet
in Guyana .
Locally, no one has been arrested on any major drug charge, yet the US has
arrested, and even captured, our citizens. Would it not make a difference to
our lives if we are better protected from crime?
Number 2: $168 Million was paid to Buddy's International Hotel from our
hard earned tax dollars.
Don't you think the Government should get this money back and use it to
reduce the VAT and other taxes that currently take a minimum of $53 of every
taxable $100 we earn?
Would it not make a difference to our lives if our taxes are reduced and we
have more money to take care of the welfare of our families?
Number 3: Who owns MTV? Who sits as directors? Are they Government
officials? If so, how can dividends be paid to them if the Government is
paying for advertisement on the station? How could directors' meetings be
held in Government buildings?
I wish we had investigative journalists that are not afraid to find these
answers for us, the public. There is still no good explanation for the
elimination of Government ads in the Stabroek News.
Number 4: The forestry debacle. Who is breaking the rules? Who has the
largest forest concession? "Barama," which is due for re-certification?
There needs to be an independent commission appointed to investigate this
raping of our environment. Let us protect our forest and our environment.
Would it not make a difference to the future of our children? Why is there
controversy between the GFC and Iwokrama?
Number 5: GO- Invest Phantom Investments. We have heard many times Mr.
DaSilva, CEO of Go-Invest, quote billions of dollars on investments that
never come through.
If these investments were true, our citizens would not be unemployed at such
a high rate. Imagine someone at Metro, the Police Force, or a Government
job who make $27,000 a month. How could they pay for transportation and
take care of a family?
Don't we, as citizens, want to know why there are no new investments and why
there are no new jobs for us to obtain?
Number 6: The Berbice Bridge . A promise in 1992, and fifteen years later
there are parts of the bridge being delivered.
Should we be happy? Should we question why it took so long? Should we wonder
if it would be another election ploy prior to the 2011 elections? Have we
lost the concept of time in our desperation to have a better life for our
citizens?
Number 7: Freedom of Speech (Broadcasting). The President banned the
implementation of cable television.
He is afraid of broadcasting freedom of our radio waves because the larger
population will get a different perspective.
If one is confident of one's record, one would not be afraid of letting
people hear the other side.
Number 8: Who killed Waddell? There are many issues regarding certain
politicians who were aware of this event and we need to officially explore.
Why was Minister Sawh killed? Why are so many others being murdered? Don't
we want to know?
Number 9: Sovereignty of our nation. Imagine there are posters being
designed to congratulate President Jagdeo for the Suriname/Guyana Border
resolution, when it should have never happened if we had had the defence
forces prepared to protect our borders. Over the last 15 years, the
Government has made our defence force the weakest in history.
We have lost six years in the quest for oil, yet the President celebrates
the victory. Where is our strength in our defence? Where is our boldness to
stand up to aggression by both of our neighbours? Do we accept the weak
leadership in our President, yet allow him to tell us to celebrate?
Number 10: Sugar Industry: Why are we still in the sugar industry? With
every country getting out of sugar, including Barbados and Trinidad , why
are we still cutting cane? Why don't we diversify to ethanol? Why don't we
get modern machines to cut the cane? Why do we offer three per cent to the
sugar workers when inflation is at 13.3 per cent? (The latest offer is seven
per cent).
Why do we want to keep them poor, working most of the time, prohibiting them
from spending time with their families, and money to improve their lives,
thus keeping them dependent on a political party that has failed them?
There are so much more to name, and you can make your own top ten list,
including the dolphin issue; the Transparency International Report that
shows the corruption in our Government; the burden of VAT on us, the
citizens; the BMWs that were bought for Rio Summit that now are sitting in
the open so the value comes down, and then supporters will be able to buy at
a cheaper price; and the contacts that are given to supporters only, without
a fair process.
When I think of our orphanages, our youth centres, and the fate of those who
turn either to the drug trade or to other criminal activities, more than
ever I know that it is our collective task to work together to create honest
economic opportunities for our young people.
Fear, want, oppression - this is an inhuman way to live, and is far less
than what we can do if we are determined to be a "force for good".
Kaieteur News - September 30, 2007
My Top Ten - Is any on your list?
I feel a strong conviction that the citizens of Guyana must expose the
issues that affect us the most.
However, there are many who do not speak out because they are afraid of the
consequences.
In any nation in change, there has to be individuals who are willing to go
as far as to risk their lives for the sake of the good of the nation.
This is a true patriot. I consider myself one of these individuals who will
face the consequences for making my voice heard.
As citizens, we sometimes are so caught up in our own troubles that we stop
paying attention to the policies that result in poverty, or ignore them
because we are afraid since we do not have a viable security force to
protect us if we say anything or stand up for our convictions.
A sad commentary on our democracy is that there are many Guyanese who feel
that they will be punished by our government for expressing their rightful
voice.
After I announced my candidacy for the 2011 elections, I had many
individuals who were working in our companies or volunteering on our social
programmes who suddenly became afraid because of the fear of what the PPP
(in their own words) will do to their families and businesses.
Number 1: In 2005, when the President released the National Drug Plan,
many individuals felt that this was a new beginning for the Administration.
However, since nothing has been done, one can only conclude that this was a
fake.
Now the U.S. State Department reports, which accuse both the Government and
the drug lords in Guyana of building a phantom economy, threaten the basic
security of our citizens. As of today, the DEA is in Trinidad but not yet
in Guyana .
Locally, no one has been arrested on any major drug charge, yet the US has
arrested, and even captured, our citizens. Would it not make a difference to
our lives if we are better protected from crime?
Number 2: $168 Million was paid to Buddy's International Hotel from our
hard earned tax dollars.
Don't you think the Government should get this money back and use it to
reduce the VAT and other taxes that currently take a minimum of $53 of every
taxable $100 we earn?
Would it not make a difference to our lives if our taxes are reduced and we
have more money to take care of the welfare of our families?
Number 3: Who owns MTV? Who sits as directors? Are they Government
officials? If so, how can dividends be paid to them if the Government is
paying for advertisement on the station? How could directors' meetings be
held in Government buildings?
I wish we had investigative journalists that are not afraid to find these
answers for us, the public. There is still no good explanation for the
elimination of Government ads in the Stabroek News.
Number 4: The forestry debacle. Who is breaking the rules? Who has the
largest forest concession? "Barama," which is due for re-certification?
There needs to be an independent commission appointed to investigate this
raping of our environment. Let us protect our forest and our environment.
Would it not make a difference to the future of our children? Why is there
controversy between the GFC and Iwokrama?
Number 5: GO- Invest Phantom Investments. We have heard many times Mr.
DaSilva, CEO of Go-Invest, quote billions of dollars on investments that
never come through.
If these investments were true, our citizens would not be unemployed at such
a high rate. Imagine someone at Metro, the Police Force, or a Government
job who make $27,000 a month. How could they pay for transportation and
take care of a family?
Don't we, as citizens, want to know why there are no new investments and why
there are no new jobs for us to obtain?
Number 6: The Berbice Bridge . A promise in 1992, and fifteen years later
there are parts of the bridge being delivered.
Should we be happy? Should we question why it took so long? Should we wonder
if it would be another election ploy prior to the 2011 elections? Have we
lost the concept of time in our desperation to have a better life for our
citizens?
Number 7: Freedom of Speech (Broadcasting). The President banned the
implementation of cable television.
He is afraid of broadcasting freedom of our radio waves because the larger
population will get a different perspective.
If one is confident of one's record, one would not be afraid of letting
people hear the other side.
Number 8: Who killed Waddell? There are many issues regarding certain
politicians who were aware of this event and we need to officially explore.
Why was Minister Sawh killed? Why are so many others being murdered? Don't
we want to know?
Number 9: Sovereignty of our nation. Imagine there are posters being
designed to congratulate President Jagdeo for the Suriname/Guyana Border
resolution, when it should have never happened if we had had the defence
forces prepared to protect our borders. Over the last 15 years, the
Government has made our defence force the weakest in history.
We have lost six years in the quest for oil, yet the President celebrates
the victory. Where is our strength in our defence? Where is our boldness to
stand up to aggression by both of our neighbours? Do we accept the weak
leadership in our President, yet allow him to tell us to celebrate?
Number 10: Sugar Industry: Why are we still in the sugar industry? With
every country getting out of sugar, including Barbados and Trinidad , why
are we still cutting cane? Why don't we diversify to ethanol? Why don't we
get modern machines to cut the cane? Why do we offer three per cent to the
sugar workers when inflation is at 13.3 per cent? (The latest offer is seven
per cent).
Why do we want to keep them poor, working most of the time, prohibiting them
from spending time with their families, and money to improve their lives,
thus keeping them dependent on a political party that has failed them?
There are so much more to name, and you can make your own top ten list,
including the dolphin issue; the Transparency International Report that
shows the corruption in our Government; the burden of VAT on us, the
citizens; the BMWs that were bought for Rio Summit that now are sitting in
the open so the value comes down, and then supporters will be able to buy at
a cheaper price; and the contacts that are given to supporters only, without
a fair process.
When I think of our orphanages, our youth centres, and the fate of those who
turn either to the drug trade or to other criminal activities, more than
ever I know that it is our collective task to work together to create honest
economic opportunities for our young people.
Fear, want, oppression - this is an inhuman way to live, and is far less
than what we can do if we are determined to be a "force for good".
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