Dear Editor,
As we look to the future on May 11, there will likely be many recommendations on issues for the new government to consider upon its assumption of office. I have scribbled together a few brief proposals I wish to share for public consideration.
- End race politics and fear-mongering by embracing inclusiveness and the representation of all our ethnic groups in government.
- End corruption and the stealing of government resources by implementing the Public Procurement Commission and strengthening existing legislation and regulation to eliminate corruption and penalize corrupt officials.
- Foster the greater independence of the judiciary.
- End PPP control of the communications industry by issuing licences to interested companies in a properly regulated environment.
- Invest in towns, villages and communities countrywide by introducing effective management with local government elections.
- Provide cheaper electricity to spur investment across the three counties.
- Create more and higher paying jobs for the unemployed as well as the annual increase in new job seekers from the education system.
- Eliminate bottlenecks in the rice industry by sitting with the rice farmers and millers to straighten out issues and constraints to their effective performance.
- Work with GuySuCo and GAWU to return the company and industry to profitability.
- Sit with the public service unions to work out acceptable proposals and the means of providing appropriate compensation packages for public servants.
- Collaborate with the various productive sectors (manufacturing, services, mining, etc) to lower costs and increase export opportunities and revenues.
- Examine measures to make university education accessible to all Guyanese, regardless of income status.
- Examine possibilities for reducing VAT.
Voting is not someone else’s responsibility. On May 11, everyone should ensure that all eligible individuals in their homes and neighbourhoods come out to vote for a new, progressive and democratic government. For the sake of their children.
Yours faithfully,
Craig Sylvester
