WHAT REALLY IS DEVELOPMENT?

Sep 19, 2009 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

There has been a slew of “openings” ever since the Robert Simels trial got underway. Project after project is being commissioned and with each “opening” we are being told about development in the country.
First there was the opening of the Skeldon Sugar Factory, a mainly ceremonial event since the public had been told a long time ago about the operations of that factory, which was up and running for months now. We are still, of course, in the dark about the penalties that were supposed to have been instituted on the contractors following the problems encountered during the test runs during which millions of dollars in cane were reportedly utilized. There was no mention during the opening on what became of this issue. It was perhaps not the time or place to deal with such negatives.
The Skeldon Sugar factory is grinding. It is one of the projects launched to bring the cost of production of sugar down to below 15 cents and thus allow us to become competitive internationally. Incidentally, the world market price of sugar has now soared about twenty cents, which means even our high cost sugar can still be sold on the world market at a profit.
Workers in the industry are hoping for more money. Just before the Skeldon factory was opened there was almost the total shutdown of the Wales Estate over a dispute about payments.
The opening of the sugar factory was followed by the opening of a health centre in La Penitence, a gift from the American people, yes, the same United States whose prosecutors led evidence about the spy equipment being purportedly purchased with authorization from a government minister. Even though the protestors were out in their numbers, the opportunity was not taken to blow hot and cold against the Americans. It was perhaps not the time or place.
Then there was the opening of the Takutu Bridge, a gift from the Brazilians. This opening was almost spoilt by the rain. Incidentally, there is what is being deemed a prolonged dry season in the region and the government had to release some forty-seven million dollars to help with the situation. Following the opening of the Takutu Bridge there was the opening of a hospital in Lethem.
We are of course still waiting for the official opening of the Berbice River Bridge, but in the meantime, one of the investors in that bridge has had to sell its shares to another investor. Perhaps, it is not yet the time for this bridge to be formally opened.
We even had an airport project, long in the works, being opened. When it was first announced, one person supposed that it was the airport that was being commissioned. That turned out to be a false presumption. A great deal of time and ceremony went into what turned out to be the certification of the Ogle aerodrome into an international airport. The trouble we go to in these parts over simple ceremonies is truly amazing.
In the midst of all these “developments” the people of West Demerara suffered a double whammy. First it was the water supply that went. The authorities were quick to point out that this had to do with the unreliable electricity supply. The electricity company then gave its excuse: it had to do with a sudden increase in demand, with daytime demand reaching the peak at night. What was the cause of this increased demand that was leading to power outages in West Demerara? The El Niño heat wave.
In the meantime, school has reopened and many children turned out in their government-sponsored uniforms at the government-built brand new schools, well painted but overgrown with weeds and overcrowded with students. Parents and teachers were forced to shut one school down because of the situation.
Then the garbage collectors in the capital withdrew their services because they were not being paid. The citizens are being urged to use disinfectant on their garbage. No temporary garbage sites where citizens can take their garbage have been established. The garbage is piling up thus increasing the risk of an outbreak of an epidemic.
In the meantime, rice farmers are worried about the prices they are receiving for paddy. The Minister of Agriculture had some reassuring words for them. He told them that we are operating in a free market situation but that the government will pay the full cost of a ferry to take their paddy to where the prices may be higher.
Rice farmers are worried though, they know that without a good price this crop, all the efforts at increased production, would only increase their debts rather than their earnings.
It is a dread situation.

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