Dear Editor, That I supported David Granger and the APNU/AFC coalition in the 2015 elections is a matter of public knowledge. Neither conscience nor logic nor reason allows me to do so again. As a leader with a nought point one three per cent, and a one-seat majority in a hugely bifurcated society, instead of fostering national healing and reconciliation, Granger has been more divisive than disappointing. Instead of policies and strategies to bring the communities closer, he, his Government and several high-level appointees have shown, at best, an insensitivity…
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Billions spent but Guyana faces medicine and medical supplies shortage
Dear Editor, Unbelievable – APNU/AFC has no plans to address the broken medicine and medical supplies disaster that Guyana faces today. Hundreds of thousands of Guyanese have suffered from the lack of availability of medicines and medical supplies and APNU/AFC has totally ignored this life and death issue in their manifesto, not a single word. Two days ago, I met a woman struggling with her walking stick outside of the Leonora Hospital. She complained she just left the pharmacy where she was told there is no metformin, a critical medicine…
Read MoreSome useful advice for the next government
Dear Editor, General Elections are now very near. Given the troubled history of elections and their aftermaths in Guyana, Guyanese at home and abroad may be worrying. I share their concern and I make a call for all to keep the peace. There should be a firm commitment not to resort to violence. A number of new parties have sprung up. That can only be good for democracy, so I wish them well. However, the trend so far has been that, come Election Day, mini-parties evaporate like drops of water…
Read MorePPP wants restoration of cash transfers for families; while APNU/AFC wants feasibility studies
Dear Editor, The 2020 General and Regional Elections battle of manifesto ideas clearly differentiates the two main parties. The PPP/C is focused on what it can do to support families with a conditional cash transfer programme, with or without oil money. APNU/AFC has no plans for a conditional cash transfer programme, unless it is with oil money and only after feasibility studies. It has come down to simply this: the PPP wants restoration of cash transfers for families; APNU/AFC wants feasibility studies. Cash grants for schoolchildren are something families already…
Read MoreGuyanese will answer the ‘US$55B question’ on March 2, 2020
Dear Editor, The use of the term ‘bridging deed’ for what is essentially a new petroleum prospecting license was initially puzzling until I examined the laws governing the sector. The Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act provides that: Section 21 (2): A petroleum prospecting license shall not be granted to an applicant in respect of a block which is, at the time the application for the grant of the license is made, comprised in a license already granted. Section 24 (1): Subject to this Act, a person who holds a petroleum…
Read MoreGuyanese must ask questions in relation to the oil contracts
Dear Editor, The recent report released by Global Witness shows the urgent need for Guyanese to consider claims made by international “experts” with greater scrutiny. The report received great interest across Guyana, and many readers have been willing to take its conclusions as gospel. Yet at the same time, a great many experts and officials have rejected the report. As was widely reported, Global Witness accused the Government of shoddy negotiations in 2016, causing some G$55 billion in lost revenue for the people of Guyana. They also recommended that Guyana…
Read MoreMeagre salary increase offered to sugar workers insulting
Dear Editor, With elections on the horizon, sugar workers, for the first time since 2014, have been offered a raise in pay. The timing of the increase is very suspicious, though the sugar workers, over the last few years, have been fighting tooth and nail for an improvement in their pay. Undoubtedly, the substantial increase in the cost of living has eroded workers’ living standards. Just consider that at the current increase offered, a sugar worker would be required to cut approximately two (2) tonnes of cane to carry home…
Read MoreJoint Services must examine the facts carefully before they vote
Dear Editor, The Joint Services are about to cast their ballots later this week in what is called the “mother of all elections.” It is called the mother of all elections for the simple fact that much is at stake here; you are talking about a country that is now an oil-producing state and everyone wants to be a part of that oil wealth. It is also important to note that we have a Government that, from all indicators, is on its way out but sadly refuses to respect all…
Read MoreMassive increases in taxes unconscionable
Dear Editor, I’ve been going to some political campaign meetings over the past weeks and have heard mention by Opposition spokespersons of the massive increases in taxes by this Government, which seemed unbelievable. The increase in taxes, naturally, has resulted in additional billions of dollars in revenues. I have personally experienced a few of these unconscionable impositions. Someone stole from my vehicle, my vehicle revenue licence, which I only discovered when stopped by a traffic officer (which has another “story” altogether, and which I would not taint with this one).…
Read MoreGECOM must be ready to deliver fair elections in one month!
Dear Editor, The Official List of Electors (OLE) is out, and political parties are very busy scrutinising its published composition in every division. Thousands of party activists are comparing the OLE along with the previously released Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) as well as the Revised List of Electors (RLE). Obviously, the purpose is not limited to ensuring that they are in a position to advise supporting voters, but to flag any flagrant errors and omissions. In the circumstance, it is evident that the public will use all legal lens…
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