In this so-called ‘Little Dubai’ gas prices are rising and so are the people’s blood pressure and frustrations. When a major producer of crude oil, such as Russia, puts their foot on the neck of Ukraine, the world reacts, and these are some of the consequences. The volatility of oil prices is just one knife in the backs of the people. From pandemic to war, from peace to panic, there seems to be no ending date for the world’s calamities.
After seeing the price of cooking gas in Guyana this week some are contemplating resorting to the fireside or kerosene stoves. Not too long-ago cooking gas was $3,500 or less, then we were paying over $4,000, now this week it is as much as $5,700. The difficulties are growing. Some may simply starve to death. In many homes tennis roll with margarine or cheese with a cup of tea is breakfast, a plate of rice and stew is lunch, vegan or vegetarian when meat and fish are too expensive and for some all they have is a cup of water before they go to sleep to dream their poverty away. The recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day for many Guyanese is not a reality though we produce plenty and a larger section of the population can plant their food.
There are unplanned intermittent periods of fasting and the knees of many are sore from prayer. Children are hungry in this so-called ‘Little Dubai’ while there are headlines about millions of USD in oil revenues. The Director of Consumer Affairs Muriel Tinnis-Duke has advised that people only spend on needs and not wants, but many of the people are doing that and still cannot make ends meet. With no price control in Guyana the price for goods and services can be whatever the supplier decides.
Beggars put their pride aside and refuse to starve. While they line the streets with hands outstretched, drivers sit in their vehicles contemplating their next move. Some count every drop of petrol purchased and consider whether they should sell their vehicle and walk or park and walk. Taxi services have quietly raised their fares. Where the people cannot walk, they might soon run. People walking and running more than driving might produce a healthier nation and less traffic might also result in a reduction of pollution.
In this so-called ‘Little Dubai’ farmers in Regions 2 and 6 protested the prices millers are paying for paddy. The price per tonnage of paddy was dropped from $70000 to $65000 and $60000 and it could have even further reduced to $55000. There was conflict between the police and the protestors in Berbice when protesters blocked the road, and a few were arrested. Sometimes it seems illegal to protest in this land of many waters.
In this so-called ‘Little Dubai,’ most of the people’s salaries have not been raised yet they must pay more for almost everything. From rags to more rags in a natural resource rich country that belongs to us. But does it still belong to us? Have we been bought for a small percentage?
In this so-called ‘Little Dubai,’ it is not only that we are grappling with the rising cost of living. We are once again reminded that the comfort of the average Guyanese might not be a priority. The potholes in some of our communities are not being fixed. Some streets in Newtown Kitty and some parts of Lamaha Street, which I mention because these are areas I traverse regularly, urgently need repairs. Maybe the citizens who live in such areas are tired, so they do not raise their voices. How are we supposed to be ‘Little Dubai’ when we are not fixing our roadways as soon as they need fixing? Every time a vehicle sinks into a pothole the people are reminded of our failures. I wonder if expats are driving into potholes. Are they crying out at the gas stations and in the marketplaces? Do the blackouts affect them? Or are they a protected class in this country who do not feel the suffering of the Guyanese people?
In this so-called ‘Little Dubai,’ Guyanese have been getting robbed and assaulted at areas like the Stabroek Market for years. It is one of the reasons I do not often visit that area. The US Embassy issued a crime alert earlier this week warning its citizens and staff to be cautious about going down to Bourda and Stabroek Market. Georgetown has been rated as critical for crime. Suddenly, they are increasing security measures in these areas. The Minister of Home Affairs said it is only coincidental that they are acting shortly after the US issued their crime alert and that there were plans since last year to implement more security measures. In this so-called ‘Little Dubai,’ politicians often think they can insult our intelligence.
A woman walked into Brickdam Police Station and shot herself in the head this week. It is not just the cost of living that is hurting the people. Many relationships are filled with conflict. The cost of living is just adding to the stress for many. It was reported that the woman who shot herself was a psychiatric patient. There was a confrontation with her husband before he drove to the police station, and she followed and shot herself. In this so-called ‘Little Dubai,’ mental health is often not taken seriously. Many would rather suffer in silence than seek help and even the ones who seek help are sometimes lost.
The pressure on the people is enough to cause them to disconnect from reality. While we watch the ones on the streets begging and sleeping on the pavements and wishing not to exchange places with them, if the planned interventions to alleviate the cost of living do not happen soon more Guyanese might be on the street. The poor might not inherit this land. One and two percenters, some of whom are not Guyanese, politicians, the ones who are already rich and can invest, CEOs and entrepreneurs might be the only ones tapping into the resources and increasing their wealth while many Guyanese cannot find their way. Some may say it comes down to the path we take but in so-called ‘Little Dubai’ the least we can expect are living wages. After our ancestors fought, bled, and built, this land the fact that most of the Guyanese people cannot afford to comfortably eat, pay their bills, and enjoy the comforts of this beautiful country is sad.
