Dear Editor,
Let’s all work together to keep Guyana afloat. Let us show the naysayers that they will not have the final word. I have heard a lot of negativism and dismal predictions about Guyana’s future, which can all be summed up in a most depressing way: some day within the next ten years Guyana will just shrivel up and die. And these negative statements are coming from people who should know better.
I would like someone to tell me exactly what it means that Guyana is moving rapidly towards becoming a “failed state.” I am sure that it doesn’t mean that the people will perish, because as long as the people survive (which they will) we can always fight back, rebuild and become a glorious nation again. One writer, Mr Rampersaud got it right when he said that “we will leave the rest of the Caribbean behind,” or words to that effect. That is the kind of optimism we can use.
When I saw a picture of the recently completed bridge that links Guyana with Brazil, that should give hope to us all, for Brazil just happens to be one of the most dynamic and progressive countries in the world right now, and even the Americans are paying attention as rich as they are. Indeed, when we talk about China and India, we also have to talk about Brazil, because Brazil is not too far behind. And for Guyana to be physically (and thus economically) linked to Brazil bodes well for our future, to say the least. The aesthetics of the bridge is also quite comparable to similar bridges that I have seen in an advanced country like the United States, and it has to be regarded as one of the most spectacular man-made sights that is possible to see in the entire Caribbean.
There is also always the possibility of hydro-electric power being generated in commercial quantities.
This would have the effect of not only increasing the availability of electricity, but also bringing down the cost of energy to a significantly cheaper price.
Then there is also the possibility of oil being discovered in the Corentyne area. (We can’t really afford to give up on that.) Add to this, an improved education system where technical skills could be more dominant, and increased foreign investment, and Guyana would indeed be ready to take off economically. And these predictions are not really pipe dreams; they are developments that any studious economist would see.
Our preferred political party does not have to be in power for us to want good for Guyana. But if we could just summon the will to think Guyanese, if not for us then for the sake of our children and grandchildren, a great deal of good could accrue to all of us in the not-too-distant future. What we are really trying to do is to develop a momentum that will propel us to bigger and greater achievements.
As such, all positive efforts should be applauded, be they from the government, the opposition or the thousands of individuals making great sacrifices to bring about a better result. There are many positive forces at work in the society.
There is the bridge, the media (yes, the media too, as they also want what is best for the country), our national institutions and last but not least, the concerted effort of the people. How can we ultimately lose? I don’t really see it.
Yours faithfully,
Rudy Vyfhuis
