Dear Editor,
Does the PPP honestly have the capacity to accept and acknowledge that since 1997 they have failed the nation; have jeopardized the democratic process in Guyana by not holding local government elections; and have overseen the complete destruction of the local government system?
Can they not correct their error by calling local government elections? It is understandable that President Ramotar and his party cannot win any local government election in Georgetown in the current political environment, but isn’t it better to get a newly elected Mayor, regardless of his political persuasion? Doesn’t the voice of the people count any more in Guyana? The PPP is operating like a family business that owns and controls all the shares in the company, namely, Guyana, where the family can do no wrong. But the facts and reality are very different; the PPP lost their controlling interest in this business in 2011.
The leadership of the PPP is truly misguided and the responsibility for this failed governance in all of the NDCs, town halls and City Hall rests squarely at their feet. It is time for the PPP to chart a new and correct course with respect to the local government system, not only for the nation’s good but also for their own political fortunes. Come 2016, this outrage at City Hall will have a direct impact on the PPP’s political fortunes since the people are watching what the PPP is doing. They have undermined democracy.
While the ruling party continues to refuse to call local government elections, what is worse is the fact that the majority opposition has failed to stand up for democratic values by mobilizing the people to prevent a further decline in the operations at City Hall. This latest situation at City Hall exposes the lack of political leadership in the APNU, since they continue not to read the political tea leaves and take the appropriate political action. Another press conference cannot be the solution.
Yours faithfully,
Derrick Arjune,
Asha Balbachan,
Rohit Misir,
Guiliana Jacobs,
Harish Singh,
Chandra Deolall,
Asquith Rose,
Vincent Nauth,
Sase Singh,
Allison Rutherford,
Devita Khan,
Reginald Watkins,
Terrence Simon,
Donna Mathoo, Noel Moses,
Vicki Rampersaud
