Dear Editor,

As we emerge from another Emancipation celebration, it is necessary to ponder the nature or character of the freedom of the average Guyanese, irrespective of race or place of residence. Look around the city, read the news of the daily senseless fatal accidents and killings, and it is clear that our freedom is attenuated by a moral decline beginning at the leadership level. Leaning on Emerson who said, “Truth is too simple for us; we do not like those who unmask our elusion,” I pose some questions which require straight answers from our Cabinet.

At the handing over of the pumps at the Kitty Pump Station on January 10, 2010,   I expressed disappointment during my remarks over government’s failure to respond to our (M&CC’s) request to go ahead with a proposal to generate electricity from the Le Repentir dumpsite. (The state newspaper did not even mention my presence in its report the following day.)

In his response, the President said two things:

First, the cost would have been too high and second, the government was concentrating on hydro power.

For the first, if we are to believe the various figures given by government sources from time to time, the US 13 cents per kwh for electricity generated at the dumpsite would seem high, but then the potential developer promised to give electricity to residents living near the dumpsite at a special rate, but this required the cooperation of GPL or government. Furthermore, if government had given the go-ahead, it would by now have been in operation; the residents would have been spared the trauma of blackouts, and the M&CC would have been able to earn some money from a dumpsite that now only brings us woe and worry, and in addition, since the project on the East Bank did not come on stream as expected, costs us money. But therein we find some truths.

Second, this would have been a relatively small short-term project, so how would Amaila Falls, which according to the MOU signed between Mr Motilall and the state should have been in operation this year, have been affected by a small waste-to-energy project? Let us get the whole story.

Next, I note attacks on Mr Badal of Pegasus. Some now accuse him of not wanting competition. I believe Mr Badal is quite capable of defending himself and his stance;  what seems to be the case is unfair competition and the capricious use of the people’s money. But beyond this, the time has come for our citizens to be aware of certain facts with respect to the proposed location of this Marriot Hotel.

When it was announced by the Mayor and City Council that the rehabilitation of the Luckhoo Swimming Pool was no longer an option, internationally known artiste, businessman and patriot Mr Eddy Grant offered to purchase the land in and around the Luckhoo Swimming Pool which was bequeathed to the Mayor and City Council in exchange for the Gymnasium site, which was, without compensation, taken by the state. His proposal was to set up a modern cultural complex to attract both local and overseas persons for a variety of activities.

When this was brought to the attention of the Head of State, he requested that we put Eddy Grant’s request on hold since, we were told, a much bigger project that he assured us would benefit both the state and the city, was in the offing.

So far, there has been not one cent paid to the council, and no further discussion on how we would benefit from this much bigger project The rest is history.

For us, a sad story. The question, what is the real story?

In the meantime, until and unless we have a full unvarnished explanation, we need to come down on the side of Mr Badal and the Pegasus for such unwarranted attacks on a hotel and management that has served us well for many years.

Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green
Mayor