Land of many waters – even in our homes

Dec 14, 2008 Peeping Tom

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Peter R. Ramsaroop, MBA
Chairman, Vision Guyana

INTRODUCTION
The Government said last week that it will expose business people who have not lowered their prices. This is the same Government which charges 200% duties on new vehicles, and which has not reduced VAT even though it has collected 60% more than it wanted to collect.

That is like the saying, “Pot telling Kettle its bottom is black.” Some contractor collected $1.7 billion of our tax dollars to fix the drainage system, yet our yards and houses are once again flooded, and it has only been a few days of rainfall. From Regent Street to the East Coast, once again, citizens are the ones who suffer the losses.

On the 2nd December 2005, this is what I started out my column with: —- “This week, as floodwaters converged on our streets again, one could not help but wonder why Guyana is still burdened with even the smallest of issues that most countries take for granted.

The President was quick to blame the city officials for not using “his” $50M handout wisely, but he failed to tell the public why the East Coast and all the way to Berbice was also flooded, even after he spent $800M (SN Headline “Some $800M spent on flood response. Thursday, June 30th 2005”)

Fast forward three years later, double that money now, and no results to the drainage problem. This is again the same Government that will expose business people for not lowering prices on goods.

Yes, we, the consumers, want help from all businesses, and even moreso the Government, which takes almost $50.00 of every taxable $100.00; therefore we, as citizens, need to put the Government on the “Shame List” for not lowering our taxes.

WHERE IS THE PRESIDENT AND THE MINISTER?
The President and the Minister of Drainage are in Poland calling for climate change and reforestation. They are putting up our forest as collateral to curb carbon emissions for cheap dollars. Flooding is one effect of climate change, and we know at least one cause of flooding in Guyana – LACK OF PROPER DRAINAGE.

There must be a new architectural plan developed that maps out which drains lead to what canals, to what kokers. One area, I noticed, where water has to drain out to the ocean is about four feet high with mud; so even if the drains work, the water cannot get out.

OVERHAUL
Guyana needs a complete overhaul of almost every aspect of our roads, bridges, sewers, communications system, air traffic control system and transportation system.

Most times, a Government can simply maintain certain parts of its infrastructure; but there are also times when the old system is beyond repair and a completely new one needs to be integrated. A systematic plan must be implemented aggressively to ensure that our infrastructure can withstand the coming decade.

Moreover, the national infrastructure, as a whole, has aged far beyond its life expectancy and requires a complete modernisation.

At first glance, it would seem the system with the most immediate need of an overhaul is the drainage system. However, I disagree. I believe the most needed overhaul is in the governmental system.

There must be a balance to development. Georgetown, as the capital of the country, should be a city of which every single Guyanese is proud. However, there should also be a focus on the villages that are spread throughout every part of our nation.

Quick-fixes are sometimes necessary, but a comprehensive approach that creates a sustainable solution is far more acceptable. Will the President call this “criminal” also? Who will get fired?

This type of incompetence is akin to an episode of the Three Stooges, but there is absolutely nothing funny about the significant loss of money each time homes and businesses are flooded. Just imagine the amount of merchandise that is completely ruined from just the first minor rainfall of the season.

This situation is simply unacceptable. I would never allow this type of ineptitude in my business. How much more should a governmental administration require a skilled and immediate response to any situation when thousands of people are counting on them?

Since it was common knowledge that this rain was expected, a competent team would have made sure the entire drainage system was in proper working order.

This is exactly the same scenario when it comes to crime, the economy, and almost every other aspect of running a nation. It used to be said that the PPP was a reactive Government, as opposed to a proactive one, that would scuttle to fix a situation when necessary and not one second before.

However, now, that cannot even be said of this administration, since it can no longer fix the looming problems with a simple patch job after the fact.

CONCLUSION
The PPP cannot pass the blame of the recent flooding onto others, without accepting responsibility for its own lack of preparedness.

Pushing blame on everyone else for the sad state of the country is just not believable anymore. The people are starting to see with their own eyes that the PPP does not have the ability to effectively run a country.

So, it is not about telling us which businesses have not lowered their prices, it is about what have you done for the citizens lately?

Concentrate on the job of running the country and taking care of the citizens, before worrying about what others are doing.

Modernisation of a nation is about a measurable, cost effective blueprint that, when put into action, integrates infrastructure, economics, political and social components to improve the lives of the people.

This is one area where I do feel that beating up on the Government is justified. We are the victims; we are the ones that feel the pain. Until next time. “Roop”

Send comments to [email protected] or www.visionguyana.com

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