Dear Editor,
The statement by the Honourable Sam Hinds about the Asian Tigers GDP growth rates and spending on infrastructure without an oil bonanza, invites a response. An oil bonanza does exist here and we have had nine years of its benefits to give every citizen a comfortable living wage and more to those more qualified.
In a letter to this newspaper years ago, I spoke of the people assigned to the distribution of the Covid grant who came to my house, asked a few questions and said they would return with my grant. A few days later as I was returning home, I saw them and stopped, reminding them that they said they were returning to me. They assured me that they were coming. They never returned. It would be interesting to know how many people did not receive the grant. Doesn’t that reek of foul play? Such conduct has become widespread and is unwelcomed in our society by its law-abiding citizens seeking a good life.
The recent settlement to our valued teachers again reveals disrespect and a corrupt management in all related spheres. It continues to encourage the proliferation of crime and a society where many will tear down as the government tries to build. The majority of citizens abhor crime.
Investing in infrastructure is good but not to the detriment of the ability to put food on the table or pay bills. Also, the infrastructure drive in many cases is wasteful, as many of these projects are not done by professionals who would pay attention to details and produce durable work. Like the Palestinians, thousands of Guyanese will continue to eke out a living and live under depressed conditions. The plight for many is that “while the grass is growing, the horse is starving.”
Sincerely,
Conrad Barrow
