Dear Editor,
The recent approval by the government for an additional $40 billion Guyana dollars is a troubling development, reflecting a worrying trend in how our oil revenues are being managed. It’s becoming increasingly clear that this pattern of spending bears a stark resemblance to the reckless behaviour of miners returning from the bush.
These miners, after toiling for weeks, would come back to town and blow their hard-earned money in a matter of days—wasting it in whorehouses and on frivolous pursuits. When the money ran out, they would then borrow to provide for their wives and children, relying on the confidence that another trip to the bush would refill their pockets. This vicious cycle was eventually interrupted by the twin crises of AIDS and Covid, which brought tremendous suffering to all involved, especially the miners’ families. Many wives, tragically, paid the ultimate price after contracting AIDS from their husbands.
The way the government is currently spending our oil money is alarmingly similar to this cycle. There is an apparent rush to spend, with little regard for the long-term consequences or the impact on future generations. The concern is that, like the miners, the government is living in the moment, without a sustainable plan for the future, and it is the people of Guyana, especially the most vulnerable, who will ultimately pay the price.
It is imperative that we demand more responsible management of our nation’s wealth. This is not just about the here and now—it’s about securing a prosperous future for all Guyanese.
Sincerely,
Keith Bernard
