Dear Editor,
As concerned citizens, we read with interest the Stabroek News Editorial of the 15th December, 2023 titled ‘Mango Landing’. The Editorial shares with us the plight of the community at Mango Landing and Guyanese miners operating in Mazaruni, Eterinbang and other areas say their stories are similar. Different degrees of dependence for the supply of basic items from across the border with corruption being almost at every level, often times by personnel who should be protecting citizens. These experiences are not new but have worsened in recent times. To ease the stress and peril of these communities, the Government must act purposely and properly.
The solution is simple. If those in charge of our ship-of-state are serious, they need to get hold of a well prepared document, prepared in the early 80s, titled “Defense in Depth.” Its recommendation was to encourage young out of school Guyanese who after a stint at National Service, with support from the centre to settle with their families, at the border and contiguous areas. The money to provide incentives, and facilities such as communication, schools, water, electricity and land preparation for planting fruits, food and mining were beyond the financial reach of the Government at that time.
Today, however, with an abundance of money, a truly caring Government will act on such a proposal. With Guyanese being on paper, the richest per capita in the world, it is sane and sensible to advance in this direction, so that the money from gold, diamond, bauxite, oil and gas will benefit this and succeeding generations and provide the best defense against any neighbour. A neighbour who sees your yard unfenced and unoccupied as a temptation. Editor, I hope and pray that the contents of this letter will lead to beneficial behaviour.
Sincerely,
Hamilton Green
Elder