Dear Editors,
I visited the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs at Quamina and Thomas streets on the afternoon of Monday 24th September, 2018 to help a high school student conduct research for a school project. The staff of the Ministry were very helpful and we were able to get the information we needed. As we were leaving the Ministry feeling very satisfied, we saw a bundle of newspapers set on the floor by the entrance to the Ministry. We thought for sure the newspapers were a production of the Ministry or of the Amerindian people and would be great for further research. We asked the Receptionist if we could take a copy, and we were given permission. It turns out that the newspaper was the New Nation, a production of the PNCR, Congress Place, Sophia. If we needed further evidence that we are running a cake shop, cowboy, third world government lacking in principle, this is just some more.
The Minister within the Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, who is described on the Ministry’s website as having a long political career spanning the United Force and the AFC, was very much present in the building. While Paramountcy of Party is a product of a PNC mentality, it seems as if the smaller parties in the Coalition have no ability to influence change or they have just fallen into line to enjoy the power trip.
While at the Ministry, I heard an Amerindian male self-deprecatingly commenting that where he lives in the interior is not as civilised as Georgetown. When we observe the conduct of Government Ministers, we have to ponder again the meaning of civilised. Wearing expensive jackets, shiny suits, fancy shoes and driving expensive cars does not make one civilised. Let us remember that the so-called civilised world destroyed its forests and polluted the planet. A grass skirt and a pair of slippers has more integrity than most suits.
Much like the painting of important buildings in the colours of the ruling party, the presence of partisan political publications in Government Ministries is evidence of a delusional Government out of touch with principles of good governance. These acts can only occur with the consent of the political leadership and it is a reflection of the anti-democratic state of mind of that class of individuals. The Ministers in the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs need to account to the Guyanese public for the distribution of PNCR official publications from a publicly funded Ministry.
Yours faithfully,
Sandra Khan
