Dear Editor,
After an examination of the National Budget and the way these massive funds are being farmed out, these words of Omar Khayyam came to mind –
“Ah Love! could thou and I with Fate conspire
Would not we shatter it to bits — and then
To grasp this sorry Scheme of Things entire,
Remold it nearer to the Heart’s Desire!’
The sentiments were expressed at a different time but may well be the feelings of the majority of Guyanese today.
Some months ago, when the PPP, Ali-Jagdeo administration was accused of discrimination in contract awards, there was outrage expressed in some quarters.
Below are but samples which may justify those who accuse the government of forms of discrimination.
In 2021, eleven licences to extract gold were issued. Nine went to Indian Guyanese and two went to African Guyanese. The irony of this is that it was the Manumitted Africans fleeing from the horrible memories of the plantation, who first discovered gold in what we earlier called the ‘bush.’ These brave men made it over rapids and mountains and were known as ‘Porknockers.’
The further travesty is that gold is being harvested by large foreign entities. Let me state that even before the advent of the PPP government in 1992, I expressed the view that I did not support the contention that the large companies had the technology to go deeper, to extract gold. I was the lone voice contending that gold don’t rust and leave it for succeeding generations.
The result today is that our rivers and streams are being polluted and irreparable damage has been done to our ecosystem, our fauna, flora and water. This debauchery continued even as we talked about being champion of the earth.
Next with great fanfare, we are being told that the Ministry of Housing and Water has signed $56.8b worth of infrastructural works, and a Contractor received $1.6b for infrastructural works at Palmyra.
There is one redeeming factor, after much pressure last year. I know of two contractors outside of the family and friends circle who have been awarded contracts, but beyond that Editor, there exists the worrisome situation, where we can find no evidence apart from words from the Minister, and I emphasize words, that there is a credible system in place to ensure that people in various communities are the main beneficiaries of these billions being spent.
Let me share my own experience for a short while; I was made Chairman of the CHPA and responding to complaints I visited purported houses completed on the East Bank and found with one exception shabby work done by certain contractors who were all fully paid. Leaky roofs, kitchens going in one direction to the rest of the house, non-functional septic tank. In one case, even extensive repairs could not make the house habitable.
When I called in the Engineer and asked why it was that houses were being separated, I asked if soil tests were done to ensure that the land where the houses were to be built was suitable. He said that there were no soil tests done but they were instructed by the then Housing Ministry to proceed apace to have the houses constructed. Reports exist to substantiate my statements above.
Let us hope therefore, as we outlay these massive sums that the government would have learnt from previous missteps and that we don’t have roads that crumble and are reduced to potholes after a few rainfall seasons, houses that leak and foundations that are uneven.
Parliament, that is the Government’s side and the Opposition should insist that credible measures are put in place so that the people in the communities are the main beneficiaries of good work being done in each area, each scheme and in every project. Parliament in particularly the Opposition should insist that in each and every project that there are persons of rectitude who cannot be bought to monitor the expenditure of these massive sums.
Knowing Guyana as we do, this should be a campaign led by the Opposition and the Civil Society to see that this tier of monitors are neither venal nor party political sycophants.
To some of my friends who feel that such advent is unlikely to bear fruit, I’lI remind them of this old Latin Proverb “Vox Populi, Vox Dei” – The voice of the People is the Voice of God.
Let us shatter to bits the evil, corruption and lowering of standards threatening our beloved Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green
Elder
