Dear Editor,
Since regaining power in Guyana, with access to the rewards of the newly found oil wealth, the PPP/C has embarked on a spending spree, causing quite a few to be happy and some disgusted at what they consider waste. There isn’t a day the conscious thinking wouldn’t see between the lines, and some, like myself, would speak/write about it. Knowing that there isn’t a party strong enough to win the people’s heart and topple them out of power, they’ve embarked on a trail to ridicule anyone that challenges them. Despite the massive infrastructural work going on, the ordinary man continues to feel the squeeze daily to put a meal on his table. Instead of sitting down and coming up with a strategy to reduce/cushion the cost of living, they prefer to award the few with contracts and tell the suffering that things are getting better.
Editor, over the years, due to work, I’ve traversed to various places in Guyana and I always make a mental note of what’s happening around me and sometimes even write about it. I’ve visited Berbice quite a lot and know for a fact that every time the rain falls there, places like Vryman Erven and Angoy’s Avenue flood easily. I cannot understand why government have not addressed that situation over the years, but on my last visit a few days ago, I observed an alarming sight and wondered why the residents accepted that. The trenches and drains around lack proper maintenance and going into the Vryman Erven, there’s a trench that holds the water, it doesn’t drain, but it captures water when it rains. For some unknown reason, some genius decided to block a portion of the trench, fill it up, and put a parking lot there to accommodate vehicles of the staff from the RDC and visitors.
Despite having empty lands in front of the RDC’S office, they found it more feasible to prevent the in and outflow of the trench to accommodate their vehicles, causing residents discomfort. Discussing the problem, one of my friends remarked that chances are, it is just a ploy to steal the money because after a while they would admit they’ve made an error, dismantle the structure, and dig back the trench. Another contract for their boys. Meanwhile, the trench remains blocked.
Finally Editor, at Uitvlugt, tensions escalated over the rights to traverse through the burial ground to such an extent that a Minister had to intervene. He instructed that gates be built to allow free access. The NDC officials came to measure and inspect. I was present, and informed them that the area earmarked for the gate floods easily. I suggested that they put the gate at the center of the burial ground, which is higher and more accessible on either side. The geniuses built the gate at the location they choose initially, even though it floods quickly and hard for anyone to walk. They chose to fetch dirt to elevate the low lying ground, so I remarked that will be more costly, why not build a bridge at the location I suggested or move the present bridge. Their idea was better. I guess it’s just paving a way to corruption through incompetence. But I’m at lost trying to figure if it’s greed or incompetence?
Sincerely,
Sahadeo Bates
