Can't they afford peace?
Frankly Speaking...........
It's great to be back! Unlike others, I really don't have to play dead to see what funeral I'll get. I can confidently report on the popularity and almost permanent appeal of the feature as a result of the fortnight's absence. (Some folks even suspected conspiracy by my editors at Stabroek! Not so). But this blemish on my six and a half year record here, through no fault of mine, merely served to motivate. What to write about now, however, poses a small problem. So much to say that I'll settle for a few short messages. Early last March I had posited that a certain political party and its affiliated interest - groups seem not to favour any extended or prolonged period of peace in this place. Ungovernable and go to war now were popular calls to arms. I wrote then that "these people .. can't afford peace in this country. They target Georgetown to destabilise normal life, dislocate economic management and effort generally and send messages to people here and overseas." Also, I wrote that in communities throughout Guyana things continue to happen, no matter how small - new schools, deeper wells for water, roads, steps to privatisation. Hardships yes. But small advances. So even though the PPP/Civic's term has been shortened and though constitutional reform proceeds - all this is too peaceful and ominous for the PNC. Let there be mayhem! Well that mayhem did happen - via the GPSU strike. And when I discerned the political influences - Sophia support, mob attack, protester - demonstration accommodated by strikers - nothing changed my view, that some politicians need destabilisation and dislocation. I repeat: they would prefer development delayed or postponed `til they control. They just can't afford peace! They feel they'll lose ground. Poor beautiful, blighted Guyana. Peaceful projects for progress There's that PPP again? One dubious hobby I had, under previous governments, was to periodically list the large number of economic - development projects announced. To me, they represented the vast potential and hope this under-developed piece of the planet possessed. Most projects faltered or never got off the ground. We seem doomed to remain a nation of potential! Plenty of Potential but Poor (PPP again.) Despite Hoyte's ERP legacy of Omai, GT&T and Barama, the PPP/Civic inherited a battered economy, pauperised work-force and crumbling infrastructure. There is some merit in the claim that the CIVIC has not attracted the volume of foreign investment needed to catapult us forward to the comfort and security zone wherein suspicions and discrimination would be minimized. My preceding item infers that the climate for investment is even more uncertain now - as the opposition groupings prepare for more Crises to create and execute. (Coming soon: Constitutional Reform In Parliament; Elections Petition Decision and Local Government Elections crises. After all, we were warned!) I would love to be wrong. Nevertheless, as in the past, hope hovers tantalisingly. Here is today's listing of possible projects for progress: (1) the Alphonso $350M Pomeroon Oil Mill; (2) the MTOFI Clay Products Factory at Canal No. 2; (3) Warbucks International Seafoods New Exporting Company; (4) the Canadian Native People's Interest in Mining, Forestry, Eco-Tourism; (5) Case/Unamco's new East Coast Demerara Health Centre; (7) road re-hab in Linden; (8) Mr Bynoe's Offshore medical school in Linden; (9) Privatisation of GAC and GEC; (10) Paris Club Debt Relief; (11) Biodiversity Action Plan (12) Petroleum Off-Shore Exploration by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited; (13) Paris Club Debt Relief; (14) World Bank US$500,000 for squatter settlements and (15) UNICEF/Guyana Poverty Alleviation Project for 55,000 citizens. That's just a partial list! What success will attend those efforts? Who would or wouldn't allow them to benefit this nation? And could the government manage these projects? Or facilitate such? Shouldn't we afford peace? Ten from Clem Suddenly they tell me it's time to look forward, not backward. Don't incite, don't be bitter. Huh? Okay, that's why I'll briefly ignore the hypocrisy that borders on Television Terrorism. But I must not, out of pure respect for Senior, Veteran Journalist Clem David, fail to call for responses to his almost daily allegations, inferences, outright charges and claims made on his most popular morning show, Sunrise Show With Clem. You can't help but have high regard for a responsible journalist who has achieved so much - academically, professionally and politically. (He was a Prime Ministerial Candidate and is an ace at Investigative Journalism). Clem is of OKU ancestry and as such is fearless - most times armed with documentary proof from impeccable sources. That is why I call on government, party, the Trinidadians and Venezuelans and all other authorities to react to these improprieties which Mr David has uncovered: 1) Allegedly, Dr Leslie Ramsammy received $250,000 for a part-time assignment at the hospital where he is a top official. 2) MRI laboratory equipment has been vandalised. 3) Allegedly, a Minister is involved in a shady deal concerning seven trawlers. 4) A minister allegedly has a supermarket in Miami how come?; 5) $17M of $24M meant for a Mon Repos market was diverted to build a Hindu Temple! 6) A third force has been at work beating "Indians" to incite racial animosities here (Clem is investigating). 7) Are E. Indians really the largest single ethnic group here? Clem wants the latest Census figures - to prove something. 8) 30,000 Trinidadians are coming here to vote at upcoming elections, it was claimed more than once. 9) President Jagan requested troops from Trinidad recently, it was also alleged. 10) Venezuelans voted at the last elections. There is more. But these are serious charges that should not be swept under the carpet. They are levelled by a serious, professional, non-partisan, responsible journalist. They deserve responses. Let's see how much respect resides here. No space today Yes, I can't fulfil my "pre-vocation" promises at one shot today. Next week then, read the Chanderpaul Story, Inside the TUC and Humour from the strike. Meanwhile: 1) Auntie Cumsee at 79 is going for another degree in Canada. Janet Jagan is "younger" than Pauline. 2) The Cocaine Mule had 135 packets in his stomach. Great! 3) Who put the tear gas canister in the GPSU gents toilet? 4) Has VCT's Evening News folded as yet? As promised? 5) Poop President Patrick (PPP) has guerrilla skills!
6) John "Bill Cotton" Mair is again in the land of his birth
7) OK I lost my South African World Cup Wager! But look how. Pity my name sake Allan Arthur!
`till next week!!
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