Dear Editor,
The PPP/C has put together a list of candidates comprising family and friends. The excuse that was proffered by that party is the need for continuity. The question is what do they want to continue? Looking at the list the answer must be a family dynasty. What is really happening in Guyana?
It must be noted that in 1992, when the President Cheddi Jagan took office his wife Mrs Janet Jagan worked for $1 a year. Such was the modesty and decency of those two great souls. Compare this to former President B J, who gets a pension and benefits which are the equivalent of $3 million per month while he is still of working age. Ordinary people, who contributed to the development of this country are forced to live off a pension of less than $20,000 or US$100 per month. Some of these pensioners are assisting to care for their grandchildren.
Then compare Mrs Janet Jagan’s $1 a year to President Donald Ramotar’s large salary and benefits. Add to that the salary and benefits of his daughter at the GGMC. Add to that the millions paid to his son for the failed fibre optic cable project, which the Guyanese people are yet to be properly informed about, and the fact that he is now on the list for parliament. All of this says a lot about this government. Add all of that together, and one will get the picture of how many taxpayer dollars are going to one family in the PPP/C dynasty. Do a total calculation and one will see the hundreds of millions paid out to the government clan as a whole.
The thing is when a taxpayer, including farmers, millers, small shopkeepers and vendors, makes grave sacrifices to educate his/her child, upon graduation that child has no opportunity for a good job or decent quality of life because the PPP/C are aggressively pushing all their children and relatives to the forefront of those positions. Many young people with degrees are wandering around because there are no jobs. Many degree holders and trained teachers have turned to street vending because it is better than the mediocre and meaningless employment available. The President and his band talk glibly and clownishly about growth in the economy, but it is really jobless growth which continues to widen the chasm between the haves and the have-nots; the very poor and the super-rich in Guyana.
It is about the PPP/C, their relatives and friends; no one else. We must not allow this to happen in Guyana; we must vote collectively and solidly against it. It is already late. I urge our young people to talk with their peers and mates about going forward and the future of Guyana. The future is now.
Yours faithfully,
Ranwell Jordan
Former Mayor of Georgetown