Dear Editor,
Fallen leaders of a bygone time, new leaders with reckless tendencies, and total disregard for our history of difficulties and struggle. For example, the wasteful spending due to the poor location selection for the Gas to Energy Project. It does not matter which generation you are from, $100M USD is a substantial amount of our money that had to be spent which could have been easily avoided if they had picked a location that was on solid ground. These are funds that could have been used to prevent the MV Barima tragedy and could have been used to improve the rescue preparedness and capabilities of our Coast Guard. The level of wasteful spending that is occurring is completely unacceptable.
Have they forgotten what it was like before? Have they forgotten the lack of running water, the lack of electricity and the lack of food in the stores? Have they forgotten the long lines for basic food items? Have they forgotten having to use the newspaper when toilet paper was not available? Leaders had to go to those that took advantage of us to borrow money that we urgently needed to keep the country running and our people healthy. Have they forgotten the lack of medicine to take care of the sick? Now we have medical bonds where medical resources go to waste. Past presidents had to seek loan forgiveness because it was difficult to pay off the loans. We can no longer afford any leader who has a propensity to waste. There was a time when being in government meant an opportunity to help your community and uplift those around you. Now it is now turning into an opportunity to fatten pockets. The Chinese are purging their ranks of the corrupt and incompetent. It’s time that we did as well. When the example being set is rooted in greed there is theft and greed throughout the land until those in positions of power who are doing wrong are uprooted.
Instead of being conservative, cautious, and responsible in our spending, wastefulness is everywhere. We do not need anyone who has no respect for the sacrifices made in the past. We have no need for any leader who does not respect the value of a hard earned dollar. Waste not want not! Instead of creating a clean and safe environment that is inviting and allows for prosperity, we have one where leaders seek trouble and a grand spectacle that tells the outside world that Guyana is a place to avoid. The lack of discipline and professionalism is very evident.
The country is stretched beyond its capacity, yet the greedy are still pushing for faster development so they can get their hands on the funds in the NRF and Consolidated Fund. The cries for more money and larger budgets have already begun in preparation for next year’s budget. However, they are still leaving the country without the results we need to truly move forward and progress. Shootouts at night, cutlasses being wielded in public when there is a conflict, road accidents with passengers due to recklessness, and the nonpayment of suppliers for waste collection create an atmosphere that conveys chaos and forms the impression that our nation is not ready to move forward with the best of them. We can no longer operate in this manner. We are a people capable of greatness! We can achieve whatever we put our minds to.
If there is a message to be sent via video, hire a professional film crew using the latest technology and have the point made when the timing is appropriate. If there is a disagreement with a reporter or another country’s visa policy have the department of public information and the ministry of foreign affairs deal with their respective matter in a professional manner. There is no need for those in leadership to add to the unprofessional, chaotic, and disrespectful atmosphere that has resulted in increased violence and a lack of tolerance for those who have opposing views. Uncouth behaviour and the commonplace “buse out” must be curtailed as the office being held grows in importance. The expectation is that each leader will carry himself or herself in a manner befitting of his or her duties and responsibilities. A good example must be set for our people and each subsequent generation. We need our leaders to set an example that uplifts our people and helps take our nation to the next stage of development. This does not mean losing our culture nor does it mean losing our passion or love for what we do. What it does mean is creating an environment where other perspectives are welcome and truly considered so we may learn from each other and grow together as a people. Remember, as a knife sharpens another so does one mind sharpen another. Understanding begins with listening, and we must have the patience to listen to each other without the need to kill the other person because of a disagreement.
CRG urges our leaders and those aspiring for roles in leadership to truly consider and reflect upon the approach being taken to resolving problems when they arise. People may forget what you have done, but they will always remember how you have made them feel. And we must not turn our backs on the feelings of others especially now that we have many tragedies upon our homeland. We must slow down and focus on making our nation safe for each other. Wastefulness and greed cannot be a part of this process. We know what it is to struggle together and we know what it is to succeed together. The path forward must not discard the lessons of the past as we continue to try to embrace the opportunities to continue to grow together as one people.
Sincerely,
Mr. Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
Discussion