It is a shame that in a resource-rich country, streets are allowed to deteriorate for months and years. Instead of fixing the cracks as soon as they appear, they are left to become potholes. These potholes can be found in every region in this country. A few months ago, I was in Region One and the poor conditions of some of the roads resulted in some long and arduous journeys. Accessing some communities in Region Nine was also challenging because of the poor conditions of the roads.
Some of the worst potholes I have seen within the last few months, however, are in a section of De Abreu Street, Newtown, Kitty. Not only is there a private school in that section of the street, but there is a grocery shop and an auto repair shop. One would imagine that with the high vehicular traffic along the street daily, there would be ongoing calls to fix the bad section. I started frequenting the area in September of 2021 and since then the condition of the street has worsened.
One would imagine that as new hotel suites open and there is news about new hotels to be built and we welcome investors and tourists, those responsible for fixing and maintaining our streets would do their jobs with the same enthusiasm. Some of us seem eager to welcome and please the foreigners coming to make money off of our country while helping to cast the shadow of gentrification in some areas, even as many of the ordinary citizens cannot afford to rent or buy and must live with inconveniences, such as deteriorated streets and the general hardships the average Guyanese face.
I suppose that these streets, such as the section of De Abreu Street, Newtown, Kitty, are not frequented by those in government, those in the opposition, or expats, such as the ones reaping the benefits of our oil. I suppose that wherever these folks reside or frequent, the streets are paved, the air is clean and the suffering that hangs over the country does not affect them. But we know that even in some of the areas considered posh in Guyana, the streets are not perfect, and they are flooded like the rest of Georgetown whenever there is heavy rainfall. Bel Air Park is one such area.
It is unfortunate that there are those who must traverse these streets, risking damaging their vehicles or injuring themselves if they step the wrong way, but the majority seem to be silent. I am appalled that the residents and the businesses of De Abreu Street, Newtown, Kitty have not until now decided to raise their voices to get the street fixed. I was told that street has been in that poor condition for years. Problems such as potholed streets should not only be fixed when people complain. But the fact that these streets are left to deteriorate for months, and years in some cases, is a demonstration of the incompetence of those responsible for fixing them. However, besides the people who do not speak, what is also disappointing is that those with the courage to protest for the fixing of their streets, would run and hide when in their eyes the wrong side of the media shows up to cover the protest.
This was the case in Bladen Hall, East Coast Demerara this week when online media KAMS TV showed up to cover a protest. About twenty members of the community gathered to stage a protest, calling for Bickhari Mangal Street in Bladen Hall to be fixed. The video footage showed the group dispersing once they recognized who was there to cover the protest. At least one person could be heard suggesting that they did not want anyone associated with the opposition to be there. It was revealed that there were no policemen at this protest even though recent protests in places like Buxton and Golden Grove were monitored by the police.
The protestors choosing to end the protest, either because they were afraid of their faces being shown on that online media or they were afraid that they would be seen as betraying the government demonstrates how broken this country is. It is a sad affair that though they had the courage to stand and protest for the fixing of their street, they ran and hid from the media due to either fear or loyalty to the government.
Those who protest do so because they want their issues to be highlighted and addressed. One would think that they would take the opportunity of media being present to air their grievances so that it would reach the ears of those who need to hear. What is the point of protest if those in the seats of power do not see or hear you?
I wonder if it was other media that had shown up if the reaction would be the same. While many place their hopes in promises and infrastructural development which seems to be the focus even though streets are not being fixed and people are struggling to make ends meet, the country is deeply divided.
Perhaps there is no use, trying to reach the people who have allowed their allegiance to politicians to blind them. To willingness see and feel your suffering, to delude yourself that you are comfortable in your suffering and to bow at the feet of the oppressors you empower to prolong your suffering is one of the great tragedies of this country.
Perhaps we believe that most Guyanese are intelligent people who will stand and speak whether they support a government, opposition or are apolitical, but unfortunately, I do not think that is the case. We are the cause of our demise. The potholes in the minds of the people are worse than the ones on the streets. We are the ones who continue to feed the flames that are burning us. Whether it is streets that need to be repaired, the cost of living, or the unfair oil deals, the fact that we are predominantly docile people is to our detriment. A few voices cannot speak for all of us. Why would anyone be comfortable in their suffering because they do not want to appear to betray or upset the leaders they serve? We were not born to suffer. We were not born to be controlled by the few we elect to run our affairs. When are we going to recognize and stand in our power?
I hope that the streets highlighted and the others around the country will be fixed and maintained. And that this will not occur until elections are nearing and the wolves in sheep clothing want votes. We want the potholes along the streets to be fixed now, but the Guyanese people also need to fix the potholes in their minds that disempower them and leave them suffering.
