Dear Editor,
It was a good gesture to see the Government traversing the country immediately after being sworn into office and meeting people to find out issues affecting them, even though the deadly COVID-19 was rampant. They ensured certain needs were met, whilst some are still ongoing. In a previous letter, I did say that it’s dangerous, especially when their presence attracts crowds and one of the preventative measures is to avoid gatherings. Now that we are faced with flooding throughout Guyana, they still are traversing the country despite the continued threat posed by COVID-19.
Editor, I have no issue with them doing that, it boggles my mind and many others as to why they are going around to get an ‘assessment’ of flood-related damage. There are many others who are more qualified to conduct those assessments and submit reports, but they’re insisting to be there. If ministers think that they are better than those responsible, they should disband the relevant agencies and fire those employed to deal with such situations. It makes no sense that they spend one day to visit two flooded villages and know they cannot do anything to prevent the flooding. There are engineers who could find means to drain the water faster. Ministers should be in their office doing something meaningful for the country!
Finally Editor, whilst everyone was grateful for the COVID-19 relief money they’ve received, for various reasons, others did not collect theirs. An announcement was made that those who did not receive theirs will have an opportunity to do. They only needed to fill out a pink form at the local NDC office and they would get the money at a later date. Mixed news started to circulate and that creates confusions. Eventually it was announced that that plan was squashed. No chance exists for those that did not receive. Now we have the government giving hampers wherever they are going. I am not certain, but I would like to know if the donation will be a weekly donation or is it just a one-time thing for publicity?
The whole country is heavily affected due to the floods, and Guyanese are tasked with additional expenses to repair or replace what have been damaged. Additionally, they are still faced with the utility bills and the tremendous increase in prices for food items. No one is hearing anything tangible to give them any confidence. Instead we see ministers traversing the country giving out a one week hamper and thinking they are doing a good job, instead of staying in office and working on a plan to ease the daily burdens faced by Guyanese.
Sincerely,
Sahadeo Bates
