Latest update April 28th, 2026 12:30 AM
Our law makers are incapable of innovative thinking
Dear Editor,
Permit me to voice my opinion of a discourse that emanated from this year’s budget debate pertaining to allocations under the Ministry of Works.
Minister Robeson Benn and the PPP regime are making us Guyanese feel as though we lack intelligence. I am struggling to understand his logic as he sought to defend his ministry’s allocation for the MV Baramani and the MV Malali.
The Guyanese public is quite aware that these are aged vessels.
However, instead of spending $95 million on spare parts for these two ailing vessels and $80 million for docking facilities, why not use the respective sums of monies to purchase new engines instead of spares and the dredging of the Essequibo River.
The dredging of this river is of paramount importance since that’s the major problem with traveling via the ferry. Moreover, when the new vessels arrive from China, if they do, I am almost sure that they will ply the said route and experience the same encumbrances.
The MV Malali is an icon in Guyanese folklore and has been immortalized through its picture on our currency. As such, it should be modernized with new and powerful engines, passenger friendly sitting room and a few modern technologies.
Can you imaging traveling on the ferry and being able to access the internet wirelessly on your laptop while your children are occupied playing television games on the same ferry? With such comfort and innovations, more Guyanese will once again return to the use of the ferry service.
Our law makers are too caught up in partisan politics and policies. They are either incapable of innovative thinking or lack the abilities thereof.
It is time that we demand more of these politicians and if they cannot govern for all Guyanese, then we need to vote them out.
My other big concern is with the construction of airstrips in Wakenaan and Leguan. I grew up on Wakenaam and spent a lot of time in Leguan and cannot see the feasibility of such projects.
How many persons in the two islands can afford to pay the cost of chartering an aircraft to fly from there? Further, these islands are not ecotourism destinations that will see and influx of tourist thereby making such projects economically viable. The PPP/C Government needs to stop seeking avenues to enrich officials.
These monies will better serve our islands by improving the roads, sea defences, drainage and irrigation.
Whenever it rains, the roads are almost impassable and further, we are under constant threat from overflowing sea defences.
While I know attempts to seek a reconsideration of these projects are futile, I would be very happy if the Government can for a brief moment organise a public forum on Wakenaam and Leguan to discuss with the people, their reaction to the proposed projects.
Ridley
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