Gov’t acting like vultures picking at the flesh of a dying nation – Lincoln Lewis

Aug 18, 2009 News

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Veteran Trade Unionist Lincoln Lewis yesterday lashed out at the Government, saying that the administration was acting like vultures picking at the flesh of a dying nation, citing what he sees as the wanton abuse of the nation’s finances as a point of reference.

Lewis also made a nationwide plea for civil disobedience and for communities to mobilize and commence their own struggles in a bid to rid the nation of the injustices being perpetrated against society by the administration.

Lewis also announced that his group which includes Norris Witter and Social Activist Mark Benschop among others, will be traveling nationwide preparing a petition that will be taken to several international organizations such as the United Nations of which Guyana is a signatory to many of its conventions

According to Lewis, after 17 years of People’s Progressive Party rule, “and in particular the years, 1997 to 2009, Guyanese must seriously ask the question, how much better off are we as a people.”

Lewis said there is no country that is going to create wealth if its leaders “exploit the economy to enrich themselves, or if police can be bought off by drug traffickers.”

He said too that no business would want to invest in a place where there is widespread corruption.

“No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery.”

According to Lewis, who is currently the General Secretary of the Caribbean Congress of Labour, his current struggle in Guyana was in his capacity as a citizen, and that 17 years is a more than adequate marking period to determine the effectiveness of PPP management of the nation’s resources.

“The scorecard shows failure, particularly from 1997 to present…In the education system those with parochial custody would not allow their charge a term or two of failure, without instituting corrective measures to halt their decline…Appropriate measures would be taken, for without remedial action, failure becomes the defining characteristic and is coupled alongside lost opportunities.”

He questioned what “we as a people do in light of a failing state, an immoral, lawless government that has demonstrated it is prepared to have relationships with known drug lords; death squads, and murderers such as Roger Khan, Axel Williams and others; a government that is prepared to transgress the constitution; undermine the separation of legislature, judiciary and Executive powers of the State.”

Lewis recounted that over the past weeks the group has engaged in several mini protests at various points of the city and vowed to continue, saying that the struggle will be a long and tedious one, but insisted on staying the course in order to achieve their success.

“We will not rest until each and every Guyanese can have their rights respected…Our strategy is to send a message to the Jagdeo regime, that he cannot fool all of the people all of the time; that an indomitable will to resist still rests in this nation and it will not die…We aim to sensitize those who need sensitizing and stir the will of the people to recognize that they have a responsibility to resist their submersion by evil and dictatorial government practices.”

He also quoted the world famous Mahatma Gandhi who had said, “Non-cooperation with evil is a sacred duty.”

Lewis said that the group was determined to edify every Guyanese to recognize that the power rests with them and not with any group, political party or leader; “that they have a right to hold this government accountable for its failures and transgressions…that government, including Mr. Jagdeo was hired by we the people to do a job that will bring about the growth and prosperity of this nation…This government has a responsibility to all and must be held accountable by all.”

According to Lewis, Guyana has had a proud history of struggle from the era of chattel slavery to indentureship, from independence to republican status and “as a people, we have struggled against previous regimes, from colonial to local…By comparison these look like angels to what we currently face.”

Lewis posited that what has changed in Guyana from 1992 to now is, “our will to resist, to unify against oppressive forces, to recognize the enemy of the African man is also the enemy of the Indian, the Amerindian and all others in Guyana.”

According to Lewis, “We are seeing our country disintegrate with racial and political mischief engineered by Jagdeo and his party, our systems eroded, our people insulted and humbled in foreign lands, reduced to menial jobs and second-class status as they flee to the Caribbean, North America, Europe and even Botswana.”

The veteran trade unionist said that it was not only Africans that are fleeing, “Indians too and by any means necessary.”

He questioned, “Why as Guyanese must we flee, when together we can take back the country? We can demonstrate acts of civil disobedience to bring this government in check…Where is the will of a people whose history is punctuated by struggle for freedoms, equality and justice?…What have we allowed the PPP to do to us?”

Lewis opined that the lack of will to come out in numbers and stand up is the fear that the PPP has instilled in society.

“There are those who turn a blind eye, content to be individualistic in their preservation, there are those who are driven by fear, those who will drink milk and those who will not roll over and die without making an effort to bring about change…We call on all of you to stand up for yourself…Do something for your future, your family and your children’s future. Join us in whatever way you can to send a message, not just for today, but for tomorrow and for however long it takes, that Guyanese will no longer accept incompetence and criminal enterprise masquerading as government.”

According to Lewis, the populace will no longer accept the squandering of the nation’s resources and rampant corruption, “we will not accept tyranny instead of democracy and the violations of the constitution; we will not accept Presidential lawlessness…We will engage in civil disobedience, a quiet sustained rebellion against evil.”

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