Dear Editor,
I refer to Dr. Cheddi (Joey) Jagan`s letter in your Oct.,11, 2012 issue in which he enumerates a long list of failures of the PPP and a number of senior policymakers named by him. As the only son of Dr. Jagan it must have pained Joey to declare, as he did, that this government is leading this nation straight to calamity and disaster. Editor, I congratulate and commend Joey for his courage in calling out the “lies and propaganda” which citizens are constantly bombarded with by the state and using state organs at its disposal and which has led to poverty, underdevelopment, backwardness and in far too many cases, hopelessness. It takes a man to admit being wrong as Joey does in referring to his having campaigned for Donald Ramotar and the PPP at the last General Elections.
Editor, there is one aspect of Joey`s indictment of this regime that I wish to focus on. It is the sorry performance of the Public Works Ministry under Minister Benn and the disgraceful condition of roadways from Lethem to Crabwood Creek. Within this Editor, allow me please to highlight the absolutely deplorable condition of roads in and throughout region 8 and in particular, the main road from Mango Landing to Mahdia.
It is only a heartless and uncaring administration that could have allowed this important arterial access road into this huge region to degenerate to its present condition and which is causing extreme hardship for residents, businesspersons including miners, etc who live, work and operate in this region.
Permit me editor to bring to your reader`s attention the duplicity that characterises this administration. On April 27, 2012 Minister Robert Persaud wrote to the Regional Chairman of Region 8 informing him that “the GGMC will undertake repairs to the Brian Sucre Junction to Mahdia as part of its 2012 Work Programme.” Following this letter and as a result of no action or mobilisation, the Regional Chairman engaged Public Works Minister, Benn who said to him that no timeframe could be given for the commencement of this long-overdue rehabilitation. Not only is 2012 fast coming to an end and no works have started but more importantly the dry weather conditions which have prevailed since Minister Persaud`s commitment is likely to end without warning. Once the rains come then no repairs can be done or done effectively. The nightmare which residents currently have to endure will get worse.
Of course there is a reason for the above or a method to the madness and it lies in the fact that voters rejected the PPP at the last elections. They now have to be taught a lesson; to see the error of their ways. Regional officials openly broadcast this tune throughout the region. The chief instrument for this policy of victimization towards residents of Region 8 is the current REO, Harsawack who is prosecuting a confrontational agenda and seeking to undermine and bypass the authority of the RDC, Reg.8.
Editor, the patience and tolerance of the residents of this region is at breaking point. The government should begin immediately to govern in the interest of all.
Yours faithfully.
Ronald Bulkan
APNU
