NY-based Guyanese need to hear from President Jagdeo

Sep 23, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
President Jagdeo comes to New York this week to attend UN ceremonies. I suggest the President use the occasion to address the large number of Guyanese settled in the city in an inclusive meeting.

Guyanese would be pleased for an update from their political leader on matters affecting their former homeland, especially on crime and safety, investment opportunities, relations with the U.S, and rising airfares, among other issues.

After ‘Fine Man’ and gang unleashed their terror on the nation last year, there has been a lot of anxiety among overseas Guyanese to visit “home”.

They fear for their lives because of random killings, robberies, and invasions of homes. The series of mass killings turned opinion against President Jagdeo and the PPP administration.

NY Guyanese blamed the government for lax security measures and not going after criminals who have been preying on good people and for allowing criminals to roam freely in the streets.

In recent times, whenever I went to a public event relating to Guyana or to a wedding, funeral, pooja (Jhandi), Koran Sharief, Christian service, etc., conversation inevitably shifted to or about Guyana. People complained about the government. They lost faith in their government to solve crime and other problems facing the nation.

Even stalwarts of the PPP had become vexed with their government and the direction of the country. They feel Guyana is not moving in direction envisioned by Dr. Jagan.

Now that ‘Fine Man’ and some of his lieutenants have been killed, overseas Guyanese have toned down their harsh criticisms of the PPP government.

In fact, some of them now shower praises on the President and the security forces for a job well done in getting ‘Fine Man’ and the others involved in the mass killings.

Guyanese also complain about high air fares to travel to and from their homeland from JFK. New Yorkers want the government to address the issue of high fares and shortage of seats.

They feel government should encourage another carrier to ply the route by offering it assistance or the government itself should reconsider reviving Guyana Airways to promote competition which will lead to lower fares.

At one time, there were five carriers plying the New York-Guyana route. Now there are only two. So not unexpectedly fares go up.

President Jagdeo also needs to make a pitch for investment in Guyana. Overseas Guyanese have billions of dollars in net savings which if invested in their former homeland in various industries would transform Guyana into a Singapore.

The government should open up the country to their former nationals and appeal for their patriotism to invest in ports, harbours, factories, agriculture, aquaculture, etc.

This will trigger economic growth and create jobs for the large pool of unemployed and make Guyana the envy of the region.

Another area of concern is drug trafficking. The arrest of several drug kingpins and their extradition has triggered a keen American interest in Guyana.

Guyana makes the American news regularly on drugs. The U.S wants to get all the drug pushers and end trafficking from Guyana.

President Jagdeo should press the American Government for an anti-drug pact that will bring resources to the nation in exchange for rooting out the traffickers. Washington should be generous with aid in the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime.

NY based Guyanese look forward to meeting the President so they can be updated on the state of affairs in their country and air their grievances to the President in return.
Vishnu Bisram

Latest News

NY-based Guyanese need to hear from President Jagdeo

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Anna Regina Secondary reign supreme

Fifties from Forde, Drakes, McCaskie give...

CANOC Executive Committee gathers in Guyana for...

Dujon questions CWI over “surprise’...

Wills, Bahabur, Johnson shine at GTTA Novice...

Guyanese boxers shine at T&T National Boxing...

Features/Columnists

The third parties will not survive this year’s elections

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Jagdeo caught fouling, found prevaricating

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

NY-based Guyanese need to hear from President Jagdeo

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]