Politicians cannot afford to hibernate under their vain illusion that the US Drugs Report is deceptive and misleading.Guyana has a growing drug-trafficking problem and this could backfire and become far more damaging to the country if politicians pretend it is the fault of outsiders to score political points. If not showing contempt for the electorate, such blatant arrogance will not defend and protect the interests of the people against the drugs barons.
Great hopes were placed on a bright and prosperous future following decades of decline as a consequence of dictatorial rule and gross mismanagement. However, the great puffs of smoke have petered out, and with the train derailed, the squatters have moved in on state reserve lands, as the drug trade booms. The confident politicians, like unconcerned spectators, are turning the other way. Inebriated with power, they are unable to deal a decisive blow to the stifling, vile and vicious drugs trade.
Porous borders, policing and security are low priority issues. The refusal to accept UK funding to train the security services to protect the people and the nation was based on the lame excuse of trampling on sovereignty. The same argument was thrown to the wind, when the President went at taxpayers’ expense all the way to Iran to invite them into the country on the pretext of mineral mapping. If this is not allowing outsiders to trample on the country’s sovereignty, then what is? They are also turning a blind eye to the influx of Brazilians swarming over porous borders. Guyana is becoming free for all while the local and indigenous people are paying a heavy price.
The government’s close and cozy relationship with the mining sector seems to be now falling apart. The rule on the issue of six months’ notice prior to new mining activities, is regarded as a warning shot against the miners. In response, a mysterious drop of 40% in gold production was reported for the month of January. (Gold production is projected to rise by some 60% in 2010.) The mining industry is in full control over its own sector, and to the miners, the politicians are just an irritating and arrogant sideline. The mining industry can turn off or turn on production at will, whenever it suits their whims, regardless of government meddling.
Then there is the huge parallel economy that the politicians would prefer to remain hidden away from the public eye. With the vast amount of invisible earnings being made none of it is ending up in the treasury to benefit the people.
Brazilians and other foreign interests are operating unlicensed dredges and are wreaking havoc on the country’s natural resources. On exhausting one lucrative area, they move on to other areas to leave vast tracts of forest degraded and polluted, with malaria ponds and mercury contamination. The indigenous people are in the frontline of this onslaught.
Past dictators may have had their day, but all the signs are pointing towards a far more unaccountable and dodgy democracy, if serious attempts are not made to change direction. With the drugs barons remaining the untouchables and becoming more powerful, it would not escape them to extend their power further. Whatever the outcome, the politicians will always put the blame at the door of the Americans. It has long been the overworked strategy for failed politicians.
Unable to apprehend any of the drugs lords, they are peddling a totally different story as opposed to facing up to the reality on the ground. Very few drugs lords, if any, have been caught and brought to justice, not to mention the myriad of other crimes waiting to be prosecuted, or never brought to trial. Fair, timely justice will continue to remain a distant dream for the ordinary folks.
While the politicians are looking to blame outsiders, the flow of drugs out of Cheddi Jagan International Airport continues unabated. The airport bears the name of a principled and credible leader, who must be quaking in his grave at what is passing for his legacy. His name is no longer sacrosanct and is being trampled upon by the very politicians who are parading as his true and dogmatic adherents.
Yours faithfully,
Mac Mahase
