Dear Editor,
Guyana became an independent country (nation) at 12 midnight Thursday 26th May 1966. Our then Administration and the entire nation, with ingrained principles, became the “pilot” towards our aspirations for a progressive, developed and prosperous Guyana for all Guyanese; through peace, unity, dedication and religion (Christianity, Hinduism & Islam) embedded in us our country’s motto “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”. These principles (which we have lost) were respect for law and order, respect for authority, integrity, dignity, honesty, equality, and humanity; these principles were upheld displayed/reflected by our leaders (Gov’t Ministers) Permanent Secretaries, professionals, police officers, public servants, teachers (head master/mistress), village leaders, senior citizens etc. setting and maintaining a behavioural standard that molded our society’s everyday living/life. Senior citizens would upbraid youngsters for riding bicycles on pavements, against one-way street signs, without lights at night, using obscene language, these acts helped to maintain law and order and a disciplined society.
Today’s Guyana, students and parents verbally and physically accosting and assaulting teachers in schools, bus driver assaulting and chasing a police officer with cutlass, attorney-at-law allegedly insulting a security officer, Parliamentarians displaying unethical and vulgar behaviour in Parliament, vulgar behaviour by bus operators and touts at bus terminals and the list goes on. Practically, all sections of our public service expected our then administration to give prompt and efficient services to citizens. Do Government Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, senior officers, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Commissioners (forestry, lands & survey) Police Commissioner etc., be in office at 8 am? The answer is NO. Twenty five years ago, two female magistrates went the “extra mile” after duties, boarded buses and travelled various routes, observed the conduct (mannerism) of conductors/conductress and drivers (re traffic laws). On return to the terminals the magistrates identified themselves and if necessary, upbraided the offender. Loud and vulgar music ceased, traffic accidents reduced.
Our Ministers must follow the example of the two magistrates and be proactive, the Minister of Home Affairs and the Commissioner of Police must make unannounced visits to the city’s busy spots and bus terminals at peak hours 7 to 8 am and 4 to 5pm, and observe the lawless behaviour of bus operators and touts and do what is necessary to restore law and order and respect for authority.
The Minister of Tourism must likewise be proactive and with affiliates from Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce make tours/visits at tourist sites and observe the rundown tourist sites, set up modernized transportation i.e. mobile vehicles, river boats with hygienic facilities etc. and the much needed restoration (face lift/repainting) of our once beautiful and attractive “Show Pieces “ (stores) on Water Street and help to set a culture embracing and endearing to tourist /visitors. Editor, Law and Order must be restored and Gov’t ministers must be proactive.
Sincerely,
Leslie Marshall
Marshall Falls
Lower Mazaruni
