Dear Editor,
A country which depends for its food supply on external sources is in a vulnerable position. It is incapable of guaranteeing its citizens adequate or regular food supplies, and finds it difficult (if not impossible) to exercise an important option of social policy ie regulating and maintaining food prices at reasonable levels. Moreover, such a country is susceptible to serious political pressures from outside.
In a world rocked by economic crises and spiralling inflation we are still importing some food items largely because of acquired tastes. On the basis of nutritional values, there is absolutely no reason why we should still import these items.
As oil prices continue to skyrocket, the government should give serious consideration to the question of continuing the importation of these items. Our prospect for developing into a highly industrialised country is closely linked with the question of energy supplies. The high and continually escalating price of oil is a serious problem. Government therefore will have to pay great attention to the possibility of using, as far as practicable, technology which would reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels.
We live in an age in which scientific principles are being adapted more and more to serve the needs of mankind. This is the basis of modern technology. No country today can transform itself into a modern state without the development of technological capability.
We in Guyana need such a capability in order to make the fullest use of the country’s valuable resources.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
(Former Deputy Mayor)