Dear Editor,
From all, congratulations to the Government and members of the Private Sector are in order as it relates to the Building Expo that opened last Friday. It was grand, but for his promises to be realized we require perhaps a sort of metamorphosis at the highest level. On close examination, the address by President Ali when compared to the PPP Election Manifesto, exposes some serious inconsistencies, which based on the experiences of current and previous administrations, further fuels the existing perception of nepotism and corruption.
A few days ago, notwithstanding the increase to 47.7 billion dollars in the 2022 budget, the Government is now seeking an additional 44.4 billion dollars. The economic and financial experts can argue whether this massive fund, in the second half of the year, can lead to inflation or what have you. Editor, what is very clear is that a truly caring Government would by now have announced that from 1st of June, the salaries of the armed forces, public servants and pensioners would have been doubled so that they can overcome the daily rising cost of living. The Government must explain to our Labour Unions why aggressive actions are not being taken to immediately double the wages and salaries of all Public Sector employees.
Instead, we seem to have a President and Government wedded to not provide the details of how the vast sum available from our natural resources are being utilized, but rather we have a ‘Father Christmas’ approach of doling out funds as we would say in a “cas-cas” manner, particularly in a polarized society where the beneficiaries of this “cas-cas” distribution by Father Christmas seems to exclude those in greatest need. Speaking with some ordinary Public Servants who enjoyed sitting, relaxing and savouring the ambience of the furniture and homes at the Building Expo, their pain and dilemma were how can they enjoy these things when the cost of food and basic items have grown beyond the present budget.
If the Ali administration had any bit of compassion and even a modicum of equity, justice and decency they would have used these vast sums available at this time to double wages and salaries for all public servants and the pensioners without further procrastination. Beyond that, my plea is that our leaders demonstrate genuine patriotism, set aside the current infantile attitude and together re-negotiate that ridiculous oil and gas contract so that Guyana can be another prosperous Dubai and Saudi Arabia which we can bequeath to this and succeeding generations.
Sincerely,
Hamilton Green
Elder
