By Peter R. Ramsaroop,
MBA CEO, AFC
“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them” – Albert Einstein
Introduction:
Every day, we are bombarded with advertisements on Channel 11 of progress in our country and glossy commercials of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (are played). These are the things that seem to turn our government officials on; none of them are making our lives any better.
With the holidays upon us, many of us get emotional as we try to figure out what we can afford for Christmas presents for our children; can we keep up with our traditions of changing our curtains, or repainting portions of our homes?
In the classroom, in offices, on the streets, in the markets, on the playground and everywhere else around Guyana, the reality is that single parents and low income families will face tough times getting even the essentials for a brighter merrier Christmas than last year. There is only so much we can do because our salaries are still the same and production has not risen. People work from 8 am – 4 pm five days a week and get paid a salary of about $40,000 taxable. At the end of the month there are bills to be paid, food to buy and transportation costs. This is real life in Guyana.
An advocate for a ‘Progressive Blueprint for Change Agenda’
We are advocates for the creation of a National Energy Council with responsibility for “transforming the energy base”. We cannot get to the creation of “green jobs” to counter climate change until we first solve our basic energy needs so that we do not have blackouts as a routine aspect of life in Guyana; a reality since 1980 to which the PPP continues to add masking tape. This a real life issue. Promises don’t help our businesses to be competitive or fix or replace our damaged appliances.
We must accept the need for competent “technocratic expertise” in managing the multiple, complex problems facing our nation. Appointing ministers with no educational or practical experience suitable to their ministerial portfolios only compounds our problems.
We have lobbied hard for a reduction of VAT and other taxes in order to stimulate our economy and put more money in our pockets to spend on our families. There have been no signals by the government that it has heard the people. No surprise here.
Many are still struggling to send their children to school, yet we have seen no move to implement publicly funded transportation for our school children.
Recent laws passed allow for the tapping of our telephone lines, instead of laws that will attract investors to our nation and create jobs for our people. Laws to recall parliamentarians that speak out against their parties and now laws to recall commissioners from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are being proposed. Where are the plans for better security to encourage more investments and jobs?
Millions disappear from the NIS and our money is used to invest in the Berbice Bridge at three per cent return, while private investors get 11 per cent and our pensioners are then put out in the pastures to suffer with the low levels of NIS pensions. Since this was first reported over a year ago, nothing has being done about this situation.
We have lobbied aggressively for the road to Brazil to be started and for a feasibility study on a railroad for cargo along with the creation of a deep water harbour. This alone will create thousands of jobs. The government does not debate the “how” in their frequent sessions of babbling in parliament yet the President is receiving kudos around the world for the glossy LCDS document.
Programmes such as the restart of some form of a civil or national service to get our unemployed and young people to focus on new skills and training are yet to be debated in Parliament. A new land law that includes allocating land to our young people must be addressed.
Conclusion:
We want our own Guyanese dream. It is simple; we want the most basic of things such as a good job, a house for our family, adequate transportation and proper education for our children. We are not asking for much. The government has 18 months more at most. It is hard to expect them now to start to work at making our lives better and creating the foundation of a better Guyana. We in the AFC are ready to start with our progressive blueprint for our future that will be “resourced, executed and measured.” We need leaders who seek national interests over personal interests. We need bold leaders who govern with compassion and wisdom. Guyana is ready for strong leadership. Are You? Until next time “Roop”.
Send comments to
peter.ramsaroop@gmail.com