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Strong backing for LCDS

Dec 07, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
A NACTA opinion poll conducted in late November finds strong support for the government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) initiative being promoted by President Jagdeo at home and abroad.
The poll also finds that crime remains the number one problem facing the nation, far ahead of several other concerns like unemployment, drug trafficking, etc.  However, many people are also expressing concern about the rising perception of corruption and misconduct among police and the armed services.
NACTA is a New York-based group founded by several Caribbean educators with no affiliation to any political party. It has been conducting polls regularly in the Caribbean and has developed a reputation, generally, for being on target in its election predictions.  The latest Guyana survey was conducted to find out peoples’ views on current issues as well as to determine popular support for potential presidential candidates of the various parties.
NACTA polled 860 adults randomly in face-to-face interviews to constitute a demographic composition of the population. NACTA used half a dozen interviewers who have worked with the organisation over the last several years – four educators and two former UG students who are engaged in ongoing survey activities for institutions in Guyana. Also, three intellectuals reviewed the questionnaire sheet. The poll was co-coordinated by Vishnu Bisram.
The results of the survey were analysed at a 95 percent significance level and a  statistical sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points was found. This means that in theory, in 19 cases out of 20, the results based on such a sample will differ by no more than 4 percentage points in either direction from what should have been obtained by seeking to interview the whole voting population. Sampling results based on smaller subgroups have a larger potential sampling error.
According to the findings of the survey, people are very concerned about the environment saying it should be protected and they endorse the President’s initiative to commit the nation’s rainforest for preservation in exchange for developmental aid. Asked if they approve of the government low carbon development strategy, 69% said yes with 19% in opposition and 12% offering no response. In supporting the initiative, many respondents said the nation needs to recognise that human’s habitation depends on a clean environment which is important for people’s health and well-being.
People also expressed serious concern about crime and corruption. Asked what they view as the most important problem facing the nation, crime tops the list with 51% of those interviewed followed by economic issues at 16% and closely followed by corruption at 15%.
For some others, drug trafficking and abuse, especially among youths, is the most important problem. People see all of these problems as important and seriously impacting on the development of the nation and feel they all need to be tackled urgently. Relating to their protection from criminal activities, people complain about the misconduct of some elements of the police and other security forces. Respondents note that some security personnel are involved in criminal activities. People unanimously condemn the torture of the youngster from Canal. They say the police and army need to be reformed.
NACTA also polled people on other issues.  These will be released in a subsequent report.
Vishnu Bisram

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