Dear Editor,
Observers and academics have written about the effects of corruption. We know that corruption causes political apathy; that graft distorts the economy, and widens the gap between the rich and poor; and studies have highlighted the environmental impact of corruption. One notable finding is the effect on deforestation. A company may pay bribes to corrupt officials, to permit the unlawful destruction of a country’s forest resources. The political, economic and environmental effects are bad enough, but the social and personal impact may be the worst, because corruption can result in injury or loss of life.
In Guyana, the number of road accidents, including fatal accidents, is alarming. And one wonders, why so many accidents? There have been reports of Guyanese purchasing driver’s licences without attending classes or taking the written and practical exams. There have also been reports of persons failing the exams but getting a licence anyway, after paying a bribe. Of course, if a bribe is paid in order to obtain a licence, the licensee may be unqualified to operate a vehicle. Obviously, this places the driver and other road users at risk. Some drivers, if they have never attended classes, may not even know what the road signs mean. Too many persons are dying on Guyana’s roads and the root cause may be corruption.
There have been reports too, of persons being shot by licensed firearm-owners. Some owners of firearms have security training, which may make them more
responsible and careful. However, many are businesspersons or politically connected individuals with no security experience or training. There have been rumours that one may obtain a firearm licence if one has enough money or connections, regardless of personal history, temperament or mental health. We recall, in November, 2013, Derrick Kanhai, armed with multiple weapons, apparently going berserk and shooting four persons dead, including two policemen. There have been reports too, of politically connected persons using firearms in reckless, and arguably unlawful ways. The question therefore arises, did some persons pay for gun licences, or otherwise obtain them by virtue of political connections? If the rumours and reports are true, lives may be at risk.
Editor, political apathy, economic distortion, deforestation and other misuse of natural resources, may seem far removed from our daily lives. We know that those issues affect us, but we are too busy making ends meet to pay much attention. The fact is though, when we leave our homes, considering the frequency of accidents and other ‘mishaps,’ we don’t know if we will return unharmed to our families. And corruption may be at the root of our fears.
Some say that corruption is entrenched in Guyanese culture. But it is time that we wake up to the fact that it is not normal, and that we can change it. Many believe that an infrastructure of corruption exists. If this is true, the only solution is to dismantle it. Such may require change from the top and the bottom. And national and local government elections may be the key. Of course, if we want change, if we are to end corruption and possibly, save lives, we have to vote out the present lot. There is just no other way.
Yours faithfully,
Mark DaCosta
