Dear Editor,
With reference to a letter by Mr Taajnauth Jadunauth in the Stabroek News, on February 2 entitled ‘How is any government to be blamed for failures/mishaps arising from the nonsense we do?’ the author correctly pointed out many problems in society where the laws are not obeyed leaving many in dangerous situations. For example, the author asks the question, “How many are aware that when boats leave Parika after being examined and recorded by the wardens that the captains would pick up more passengers along the way?” Though I agree with the author in correctly shedding light on overt dysfunctional problems in Guyana, I must say I fully disagree with him that government is not to be blamed for these problems. Certainly government is to be blamed.
One of the ways to deter overt dysfunctional behaviours and to make them extinct is for government to implement laws and reinforce them. This is a function of government. Government is severely failing in this regard. Without laws that are reinforced, society becomes chaotic, the social structure deteriorates/collapses, educational standards plunge, moral values plunge, mental health issues rise, health related issues surge, poverty flourishes, the economy is negatively impacted and life expectancy is shortened. The resultant net effect is an unprogressive society. This situation is clearly evident in Guyana. As part of a solution, government needs to act in the best interest of the nation in having laws that are reinforced and also in bringing jobs for the people and in educating the people.
The author went on to mention that the “President and Ministers cannot be everywhere and see everything.” Does Mr Jadunauth really believe that government is doing the right thing? In this dire situation, it boggles the mind and is quite disturbing when government itself is participating in dysfunction. We all know government has a habit of fooling people. I was fooled by government too. As a psychologist, I have asked to help my country, a profession that is so needed in Guyana.
All I got is an invite by government to arrive in Guyana with less than 48 hours notice which later turned out to be a fake. Is this not gross dysfunction by government? How can they lead? How can they make laws and reinforce them when they are embroiled in dysfunction? Where is the integrity of government? Where is the moral conscience of government? Under this kind of governance, society collapses and this is clearly evident in Guyana. Further, government does not like us to be vocal about our problems and openly debate them. Why? Openly debating issues affecting us will help us see our problems and solve them.
Yours faithfully,
Annie Baliram
