Dear Editor,
The recent flooding nationwide is a very serious indicator of what is to come. The temperature changes that results from the offshore drilling has an impact on the Guyanese experience. Unfortunately, this is unlike the Covid-19 curfew where our leaders have chosen to be selective in its implementation. Nature works the same way regardless of who it is. Our leaders should not expect an exception in the case of Guyana. It is time to take a hard look at the reality of our nation’s situation on the coast and the true vulnerability of the entire country.
More importantly, the Ministry with responsibility for infrastructure has failed miserably in preparing the country for this rainy season. Someone needs to be held accountable and accountability must start at the top. A new bypass road was the primary focus of recent efforts instead of the drainage & irrigation and sea defence systems. Our national budget needs to reflect a shift in priorities to ensure that Guyana is less vulnerable to extensive flooding as has been experienced over the past several days.
International trends point towards an urgent need for a shift in energy consumption. It is time for Guyana to get on board and push for payment of our oil & gas sector resources to be left in the ground. In the realm of climate change no low lying nation such as Guyana will be able to escape the unfortunate and negative consequences of increased temperature unless we strive for a change in how energy is attained and consumed.
Sincerely,
Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of
Guyana
