Dear Editor,
There has been what I consider a storm in the teacup over the Budget 2022. The Government boasted that it is the largest budget ever. This is no big thing. What we seldom hear is quality as distinct from quantity. Since Independence every Minister of Finance has made this claim. The Opposition, as is customary, sought to criticize the Budget for its failure to clearly identify mechanisms to bring prosperity and comfort to the ordinary folks in the urban, rural and hinterland communities. As a young man, I was among those who walked behind Dr. Jagan and Forbes Burnham to disengage ourselves from the iron-grip of colonialism and dependence on Massa. Our clarion call then was ‘Massa Day done.” Today, there is no Jagan, there is no Burnham, but this generation, once given the information in the context of this new world, should agitate for the Golden Arrowhead to be meaningful. I appeal, by this letter, to every Guyanese, whether you support the PPP, PNC, AFC, ANUG and irrespective of our religious beliefs, to set aside our pettiness and learn the lessons of history. As we look at the depleted forest, polluted rivers, and gaping holes and depleted stock of flora, fauna and fish, and when we look at our unrecognizable demographics, we will not hang our heads in shame. That we will not be guilty from the sin of silence.
On this note Editor, I wrote a letter on January 10, 2022, which was sent to the two top PPP Members, that is President Irfaan Ali and VP Bharrat Jagdeo, the then Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan and Leader of the PNC, Aubrey Norton, on the border issue and our natural resources. Weeks after, the only response has been from Aubrey Norton expressing a willingness in the interest of our Guyana to sit and talk. Failure to even acknowledge receipt of that correspondence for harmony instead of hubris is ominous and suggests that we are, as a people, in serious trouble and that those elected as leaders are not serious about a Guyana of oneness, the only way that will allow us to bequeath our children, and their children, a country where they are the principal beneficiaries of our natural resources. Let us pray that good sense, goodwill and nationalism would insinuate itself. And that our leaders, all of them will sit down to save some of us, and I say some, from being re-enslaved.
Sincerely,
Hamilton Green
