Category: Letters

Dear Editor, “I would rather eat salt and rice” is a phrase from my formative years that speaks to personal integrity; it is a core value of many Guyanese who refuse to give into the daily temptations. Head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Vincent Adams is attributed to calling for better salaries for his employees with the rationale “concerns from local and international transparency advocates that the poor salaries of EPA officers make them more susceptible to the influence of corrupt oil companies,” a section of the media on…

Read More

Dear Editor, While Guyanese are focused on our domestic political situation, events on our western border should be cause for much concern. The recent visit to Venezuela by two Russian nuclear-capable supersonic bombers and the announcement of plans to build a Russian military base on a Venezuelan island does not bode well for peace in the Caribbean region. In addition, the recent announcement that Iran will be sending two warships to Venezuela further aggravates an already volatile situation. There must be increased diplomatic efforts by all leaders of the Caribbean…

Read More

Dear Editor, I was looking at the new Mayor of Georgetown for the year 2019, Mr Ubraj Narine, and immediately my reaction to the news was a long, deep sigh. The reason for my lamentation is the fact that the new mayor was flanked by two known characters; current Mayor, Patricia Chase Greene and Mr Oscar Clarke. Green and Clarke are already ex-officio members of the new finance committee of the Council whose stewardships so far have been utterly tainted by corruption. With such a cabal of corrupt officials on…

Read More

Dear Editor, Great, courageous and selfless leaders are those willing to confront the material anxieties of their people as the occasion arises. There is a great anxiety in Guyana as to the good life for the ordinary man as promised by the government. After three and a half years in office, the Government has spent some GYD$1.1 trillion in four consecutive budgets since 2015, and it is clear that the benefits are not trickling down to the poor and the working class. Thus, it was not surprising that the results…

Read More

Dear Editor, This letter was motivated by a statement by the Minister of Health and Chairwoman of the PNC, Volda Lawrence on preference of PNC party comrades for employment and Government contracts, which was widely reported in the media. She was also the former Minister responsible for the labour portfolio. What a vulgar statement! However, Volda Lawrence must be commended for her honest confession of the not so subtle practice of the PNC. That position is discriminatory and unlawful as stated hereunder, The system of industrial relations is informed, influenced…

Read More

Dear Editor, In conversations I had with specialists who know parliamentary and legal affairs, it seems that the Speaker ruled wrongly in the opposition’s request to disallow the Prime Minister, acting in the capacity as President, from sitting in the Assembly. The Speaker referred the matter to the constitutional commission committee. The opposition had challenged the acting President from sitting in the assembly – saying he was squatting there. The Speaker needed to rule whether the acting President could sit in the assembly or not. It was not about amending…

Read More

Dear Editor, What we are dealing with here is a political culture that has been developed over 50 years of the PPP and PNC fighting each other. Both sides believe that they are right and only they have the solutions to Guyana’s problems. Some would advocate that we need to rid ourselves of both the PPP and PNC to move forward, which is wishful thinking. People in society are not listening to what is being said; they are just listening to what their side says without trying to understand the…

Read More

Dear Editor, The constitutional Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) should direct its work as a matter of high priority at political leaders, Ministers of Government, members of the National Assembly, public servants, politicians and political groups of the People’s Progressive Party and the People’s National Congress. Working first with these categories can impact positively on race relations and social cohesion. They are the influential ones who – by private and public statements, conduct, and practice in their public duties – set the national tone for the politics of race and lust…

Read More

Dear Editor, The Theme of the 2019 Budget ‘Transforming the Economy, Empowering People, Building Sustainable Communities for a Good Life’, could have been considered impressive if those objectives outlined could be achieved throughout the length and breadth of this shattered nation after almost four years of mismanagement and incompetence by APNU/AFC coalition Government. This APNU/AFC Government has elevated incompetence to the highest possible level where “incompetence” is being worshipped by the President, Prime Minister, Ministers of Government, APNU/AFC Members of Parliament and whenever and wherever they give speeches they attempt…

Read More

Stabroek News on December 12, 2018, along with the Guyana Chronicle; published a photograph released by The Ministry of the Presidency, showing a picture of President Granger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on the President’s return from Cuba. During his stay in Cuba, he underwent medical treatment. Guyana Times and Kaieteur News, on the same date, used another photograph of the President that was much more appropriate and reflected the commanding posture and image of our President. Showing the President with a surgical mask over his mouth; clearly not…

Read More