Dear Editor,
I do not see anything wrong with the President’s visit to Buxton because he is the President for all the people of Guyana, and it is therefore his duty to make sure he addresses the concerns of all. However the timing of that visit will be seen as electioneering. I have listened to a part of his address to the Buxtonians and welcomed the promises he made to them concerning the development of the village.
What I would like to remind Buxtonians is that a promise is comfort to a fool, so they must be very watchful, focused and steadfast, and not allow themselves to be fooled into submission. However, if those promises are fulfilled, grab them with both hands and make good use of them. I remember what happened before the 2006 elections. The President and his entourage were on a similar visit to my village on the East Bank of Demerara meeting with villagers, listening to the problems and asking them what the government could do to improve the lives and well-being of the villagers. I raised a point, and asked that a plot of land which had been identified be developed and made into a playground, which would not only have been used by the residents of my village, Land of Canaan, where the land is located, but would have also been used by residents of the surrounding villages. The President promised that the land would be prepared and the playground established. He even instructed one of his ministers who was with him and held that portfolio including looking after community projects, to make sure that the playground was established. Editor, it is close to four years now and nothing has been done to establish that playground. The plot of land is still there. In actual fact that was the last time that the President and/or his ministers visited our community. We would still be grateful if the President could make good on his promise.
Yours faithfully,
Colin Gill
