Dear Editor,
In 1985 when the late President Hugh Desmond Hoyte took control of Guyana, there was a massive turn around of everything that was inherited from the “Founder Leader”, President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.
Almost every policy President Burnham had implemented, the Hon. President Hoyte reversed. The daylight saving time was removed. How can this ever have worked with Guyana lying on the equator? He re-introduced wheat flour; freed up the economy; allowed foreign currency to flow freely, legally; stabilized the dollar at 125 to 1 US for the last two years in office; legalized banned food stuff and privatized ailing government entities. The list is longer.
In 1992 when the Hon. Dr. Cheddi Jagan acceded to the Presidency, his campaign promise was consultation, transparency, accountability, and all the right words that are associated with a true democracy. This great honourable man that once lived and walked among us, had made us realize dreams others can only dream of. But today it all seems to be coming to a slow end.
Taken from Stabroek News, dated Jan. 4th, 2007, “Commissioner of Forests James Singh is maintaining that a shipment of logs which left Guyana in December on the vessel ‘Rong Cheng’ met all of the regulatory body’s requirements for export and that the body is not under any obligation to provide requested details”. Is this what Dr. J would have told his people when they make a query on something as important as this? Is this the reverse from transparency?
The article went on to state the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) stated no Customs or GFC official has to be present every minute of the loading. Are these people serious? Logs were filled with illegal drugs a short while ago and exported.
Also, where do the officials go when they are not around “every minute”. We can see from this incident why things are not done correctly. Accountability is truly lacking. This behaviour should not be condoned and accepted as normal behaviour.
Our current parliamentarians met with local organizations that are concerned with legalizing casino gambling. It was shocking to note some of them telling our religious organizations they have no business in government affairs. Even before the religious organizations can speak on these issues, they were told in no uncertain manner, no matter what they oppose, the bill will be going through.
Is this not a mockery of our consultation process?
First Lady, first female minister of Guyana, first female president of Guyana, and the first American woman to become president, the Hon. President Janet Jagan gave her honest opinion implying she would prefer the Government not to blacklist Stabroek News or any other newspaper on the ads issue. Herself and husband lived through hard times when they were denied newsprint for The Mirror newspaper and can relive the terrible memories of yesteryear.
She was told in a manner that sounded disrespectful that her comments were just those of a private citizen. Private citizen? This is no ordinary private citizen. This stalwart of an individual laid her life on the line so that our nation can enjoy freedom that seems to be frizzling before our eyes. Her words have lots of weight and meaning, and yes, if she implies Stabroek News should not be penalized for having a smaller readership, then maybe it is something that should be considered.
Again Dr. J always looked out for the small man. He said a small man should become a real man. I have my doubts whether he would have agreed with this happening. I cannot fathom him coming up with plans to stifle small businesses.
Some people like myself and others did suggest an audit be taken of the readers circulation, and it be rated percentage wise. But a newspaper should not suffer because its circulation does not reach heaven.
President Janet Jagan deserves much more than for others to be dismissing her comments as casual conversation. Are we heading for a U turn with no return? I would hope not. Too much is at stake.
Yours faithfully,
Mubarak Kazan
