Dear Editor,
I guess like me, many Guyanese were taken by surprise after an announcement by Mr. Irfaan Ali, during the just concluded CPL 2024 games held in Guyana; of the new T20 Global Super League to be launched in Guyana in November 2024, of which the Government of Guyana has committed US$1M. According to a release by Caribbean Broadcasting Com-pany, the league is “sanctioned by Cricket West Indies and fully supported by the government of Guyana.” I made several attempts researching other Caribbean territories to ascertain their position on this new idea by CWI, but came across a video by Mr. Anil Roberts, former Minister of Sports, Trinidad and Tobago, who called out the leadership of Cricket West Indies on this new direction where cricket is concerned.
Editor, something is fundamentally wrong with the PPP/C’s approach to governance and transparency. Despite the many exposures and shames facing them, it is well to say that they have no regards and will continue to perform and act in a manner they find workable. However, I have a few questions: Why is it that the nation was sprung with this surprise, under one month of its launching? From where are the monies coming from? May I be clear, when it involves Government and spending of taxpayers’ dollars, there must be transparency and accountability. From the just concluded CPL 2024 games, the Government of Guyana played a pivotal role in having the finals played here. Again, the National Assembly is oblivious as to the final expenditures injected by the Government of Guyana, since activities were sponsored by the state. It is clear to the naked eyes regarding the priorities of the PPP/C – they are in a haste to expend taxpayers’ monies in an unstructured manner. Several weeks ago, the government withdrew the sum of US$300M, equivalent to $62.394B from the Natural Resource Fund. So far for the year 2024, the accumulated withdrawals are: US$1.150 billion equivalent to $239.176 billion) within the total of US$1.586 billion (equivalent to $329.9 billion.) Here, the people of Guyana are not being informed what percentage and amount of these funds are being utilized across the various sectors, but monies are commingled in the Consolidated Funds and spending.
What is troubling, is that with all these withdrawals, Guyanese (ordinary people) are feeling the “squeeze,” having to face the spike in prices for commodities at marketplaces and supermarkets. Yet, this misleading and uncaring Jagdeo/Ali regime has failed miserably in addressing the basic needs of our people. May I remind them both that no amount of infrastructure will cut it. The reality is that our people are fighting for their‘bread and butter.’ Editor, any government that cares for the well-being and welfare of its citizens would not operate the way they, the PPP/C are doing. However, from my vantage point, I can only conclude that Irfaan’s only interest is in ‘cricket.’ I have seen the efforts expended over the last month to culminate the CPL 2024 games, such as ‘cricket carnival, Caribbean food festivals,’ etc. The Government’s emphasis on other sports has been a major and abysmal failure. A review of Guyana’s preparation and participation at the just completed 2024 Olympic Games in Paris is a true testimony of the PPP/C’s commitment to our nation’s athletes.
The US$1M the Guyana Government intends to expend on the launching of the Global Super League can be utilized in developing athletes and improving sporting facilities here in Guyana. Imagine, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall has been under renovations since 2022 and there seems to be a slothfulness in the pace of works. There are many unkempt community grounds, lacking basic amenities; that monies from the US$1M can be set aside to enhance the aesthetics of these facilities. Additionally, monies from the $US 1M can upgrade derelict community centers in communities such as Tiger Bay, Agricola and Albouystown. There are boxing gyms facilities in these areas and Editor, it is an eyesore to see the state of these facilities; total neglect by government. Again, rather than spending US$1M on a cricket launch, which will not bring any benefits to the people and these neglected communities, the government should have these facilities improved.
Editor, in many communities young men are seen having a game of football in the streets. This particular sport in my mind has seen major neglect by the regime. This form of sport is attractive to both Afro Guyanese and Indigenous Guyanese. Ali and his regime should proffer an explanation to Guyanese why there has been a major lack of support for football? Editor, I call on Guyanese to vehemently reject Ali and his regime squandering of their monies and insist that the US$1M be used on the development of sporting facilities across communities and improving the lives of citizens, through the payment of better wages and salaries for the nation’s hardworking Public Servants and Teachers, who are doing alternate activities to supplement their paltry Government salaries.
Finally, it was heartbreaking to witnessed, on the weekend of CPL 2024 finals, teachers of Guyana observing ‘International Teacher’s Day’ on October 5, 2024 and were not afforded any recognition from Government, who glorified teachers for their service to nation building; but found it necessary to announce a US$1M for cricket purposes. Therefore, since the PPP/C is in its penultimate year, as the nation prepares for GRE 2025, I would recommend that Ali and TEAM conduct a review of their programmes, and tailor them for the benefit of our nation’s vulnerable groups.
Sincerely,
Annette Ferguson, MP