Dear Editor,
The founder of the PPP and the Founding Father of our nation once said, “The working people must have a say, and the state must help to protect the poor. The rich can always take care of themselves. The poor is the one who need protection and that is what the PPP was created for”. In today’s Guyana key members of the PPP have turned into the rich and have abandoned the purpose of the PPP. As evidenced in the MV Barima tragedy, the poor were not protected and the rich elite within the party have little to no regard for their plight.
A key official over the sector said that it was ok to have the boat load line below water level in fresh water because it will be above water in salt water. This is not only irresponsible but also supports the claim that the vessel was overloaded for additional income. Accusations of bribery have also surfaced and is said to be common practice on the vessel. The allegation is that additional passengers who are not on the original manifest pay a bribe to officials to get their goods and themselves on board. It is also alleged that a call from an official can require the workers to add cargo as a favour to a rich person. Further raising concerns that family, friends, and favourites can bypass official policy by corrupting the system.
It is unfortunate that key members of the PPP are no longer rooted in the noble cause that their founder formed the party to accomplish. It is time for new leadership, and it is time for those who use the party to accumulate questionable wealth to leave.
With utmost concern,
Mr. Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
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