Saying that Guyana’s politicians need to be reminded that they serve the people, President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mohammed Raffik has encouraged businesspersons and others to speak out on the issues that are affecting them.
Raffik, who at the time was addressing the commissioning ceremony for the Nand Persaud Group of Companies soil testing facility at the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus, said politicians must understand “they are not god’s gift to this country and they must not behave as if they’re gods.”
He then went on to speak of the importance of the business community, which he notes creates wealth and employment. “The business community are the ones politicians should want to go after and meet and ensure that they get what they want so that they can develop this country,” he opined.
Raffik added that he was made aware through the press that rice farmers in Berbice are in need of at least $20 million for fuel to ensure that the necessary pumps are in operation for a successful crop. “I cannot understand the thinking of the people who manage the finances that they can’t find $20 million and that is so ridiculous that I can’t comprehend that,” he observed.
The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has since pledged to assist the region with $10 million after representation was made by Regional Chairman David Armogan.
Armogan has since said that he asked the Regional Executive Officer Kim Williams-Stephen to see whether the region can assist with $10 million but he said she told him that the region does not have money to help.
According to Raffik, whatever money is needed to ensure that the rice crop is a successful one it should be “found by the politicians” since “it is our money, it is the taxes that we pay.”
Raffik stressed that it is important for business-persons and Guyanese in general to stand up and re-present themselves instead of allowing politicians to do whatever they want.
He said his message to the politicians of Guyana is that they must understand that “they are the servants of the people.”
Raffik also pointed out that there is an immediate need for cheaper electricity and better internet service as he lamented that Berbice has the worst internet service in the entire country.
He said it often takes him a long time to download large emails for his business due to the terrible quality of the internet and as a result he questioned how persons could develop their busi-nesses with such service. He added that he is hopeful that the future leaders of Guyana will see what the people are fed up with.
