My concerns are the issues and not personalities

Jun 14, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
With reference to the letter from Neil Kumar in the Guyana Chronicle (June 12, 2009), there are just a few points that I would like to clarify:
1. It is highly unethical of the GC to have published Neil Kumar’s letter without having first published mine, the letter to which Mr. Kumar was responding. If we are going to encourage constructive debate, it takes two parties, not a single voice.
Chronicle has done a George Orwell Animal Farm here. Chronicle belongs to all Guyanese; I trust this was just an oversight.

Nevertheless, I am calling on the editor to provide an explanation why my letter (neither libellous nor a threat to the Guyanese people) was not published but a response from Mr. Kumar was. These are actions associated with Robert Mugabe, not the supporters of democracy. I have a right to a voice in the Guyana Chronicle and what this newspaper has done is suppressed this right.
2. My message is very simple – you made a campaign promise – the only thing to which the electorate can hold you accountable – you have to deliver on this to remain credible.
3. I have no intention to respond to Mr Kumar’s personal attacks, as my concerns are the issues and not personalities.

4. The issue is this: 65% of this government’s term has gone and significant promises to the youths remain unfilled. To change course half way is not an option.
To do so, one need to go to the electorate and say listen, we need to change the contract because of these reasons. From where I stand, highlighting these issues is in no way intended to belittle the achievements of Mr. Kumar or a personal attack on his abilities. It should instead have provided him with the courage of conviction to bolster his arguments for funding for these projects. If Mr. Neil Kumar and the Minister of Sports deliver on these manifesto promises, I will be the first one with the fire crackers in their corners.
5. Fundamentally my point is this: when a political party prepares a manifesto and presents it to the people, as the document to prove they are better than the others, they have to work hard to lobby the funding to deliver on these. Otherwise, it will be taking the electorate for granted.

We should never take the electorate for granted. This will presuppose that the government is not serious about getting votes on the basis of issues but some other dynamic.
To offer excuses why these projects were not delivered without a prior proper justification to the public is highly unacceptable. The expectations of many rural youths are going to be destroyed by this decision. It is time Mr. Kumar demand that the funding to fulfill these promises be made available immediately. Stay focused. We are not competitors Neil. When we believe in something, we must fight regardless of the consequences. To do anything else is a cop out. 2011 is fast approaching the PPP’s manifesto is the only scorecard against which it can be judged.

Neil I do not consider you as a former colleague, I consider you a colleague. However, you are not the messenger; you are the Director of Sports, who is responsible for the policies and delivery of the Sports programme of the PPP manifesto.
Unless Neil Kumar add something new and professional debate, this debate is considered closed for now. I will be relooking at that manifesto come 2011 Neil; if God grants me life and we shall have a proper chat at that point in time on the veledrome, the synthetic track and the three sports complexes. So long Comrade.
Sasenarine Singh

Latest News

My concerns are the issues and not personalities

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Beckford brace Slingerz to fourth win on the trot, as Santos topple...

West Indies Women’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy...

GCC, Ogle, East Bank among winners as Demerara...

Unbeaten GCA storm to 2025 title

Tucber Park Cricket Club receives cricket gear...

Young guns flourish at Moo! National Junior’s...

Features/Columnists

Of Silk and Steel

Collaborative Government–Private Sector Action Imperative for a Resilient Trade Future

Rogue cops – only a few around

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

My concerns are the issues and not personalities

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 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 […]