…but underlines need for shift in mindset of citizens
Oil may increase Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which will result in economic growth and the potential for improved services and infrastructure, but it will not change the culture of mistrust and ethnic tension that plagues our politics and our people.
This is according to former Social Policy Advisor to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, Dr Kwame Gilbert. He said, “We are thankful to God for the oil and the possible blessings it brings. But there are some things oil will not fix.”
Dr Gilbert, who is also a faith-based leader, said there was an urgent need for this state of affairs to be corrected. Nevertheless, he said in spite of the protracted political tension and socio-economic challenges facing Guyana, there is an undeniable aura of anticipation regarding the promised oil wealth.
“As a people, Guyanese have endured much domestically and regionally, and it is truly high time that there is a reversal of the national fortune. As a son of Guyana, I too am excited and optimistic about the future of our country, but cautiously so,” he added.
The former advisor told Guyana Times International of a personal experience he had which led to that conclusion. On returning to Guyana from Canada after three years, Dr Gilbert said this dawned upon him on his arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
“At the Immigration Department, we (my son and I) queued up along with the other passengers and shortly thereafter were joined by passengers from another flight that had just arrived.”
After being in the queue for about 10 minutes with very little movement, Dr Gilbert said his attention was drawn to the source of the delay.
“There were 10 or 12 available windows, but upon examination, I realised that there were only four immigration officers working. With four officers serving in excess of 300 passengers, frustration was inevitable,” he recalled.
He said the situation worsened when the line stopped moving altogether and he realised that immigration officers were congregating in a small huddle. “It seemed that a senior officer found that time most appropriate to conduct a departmental meeting. Later, I realised that what really was transpiring was a changing of the shift. Yes!!”
Dr Gilbert said in the middle of serving two flights, the shift changed, which unavoidably involved all of the necessary handing=over protocols, while the passengers waited.
“I could not help but consider in that moment that with a spanking new airport terminal, some things must change with respect to how service is rendered to those visiting our lovely country.”
The former Government Social Policy Advisor told this publication that the prediction and expectation is that over the next few years, Guyana will certainly see an influx of visitors, thanks to oil and gas. “While oil and gas may change our economic fortunes, if our attitude to service remains the same, then we are no better off really,” he asserted.
He said too that the reckless manner in which drivers use the roadways continued to contribute to the many accidents. “The level of lawlessness, inconsideration and selfishness has never been this high. Avoiding a collision takes every bit of skill, dexterity and constant prayer.”
Further, Dr Gilbert observed that the absence of concern for other road users was unbelievable and appalling and in some cases, constituted reckless endangerment.
“I came to the sad conclusion that this is one other thing that oil will not fix. Oil may improve our economic standard of living, but it lacks the ability to restore the common human decency of respect, care and concern for each other,” he added.
Oil, he noted too, may make life a bit easier for many Guyanese struggling to make ends meet, but it will not remove the dog-eat-dog mentality that has emerged in a people caught in survival mode. (Samuel Sukhnandan)
