Ten reasons for a third term

Aug 01, 2010 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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Here are ten reasons why we need a third term.
1. Freedom of Information Act
Look, a promise is a promise. One month is one month. But sometimes things take longer and the longer it takes sometimes the harder it gets.
So we need to be understanding about the promise one year ago to have the Freedom of Information legislation in place by one month.
We need to give some more time so that the I’s can be dotted and the T’s crossed. It would be unfair for the President who prides himself in keeping his promises not to be allowed the opportunity to have this piece of legislation tabled so that the media can obtain answers which his administration has so far been reluctant to provide.
So let us give the President a chance to implement this Freedom of Information Act so that we can find out about some of the contracts that have been signed and about the names of some of the proposed investors for some large projects in Guyana.
2. The Road to Amaila Falls
This is another project for which more time may be needed. It may or may not be completed before the next elections. The equipment may or may not arrive this week. The weather may or may not delay the start up of the project and the government may or may not tell us about the experience of the contractor in road building works.
3. The Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project
This is the largest ever project in Guyana and may be too big for the new President. Thus, we need the person who started the ball rolling with this project to be there to see it through to the end. For without him, this project may not be completed. We need this project to bring down the cost of electricity.
4. The Marriott Hotel
Somebody has to make up their minds as to whether this hotel is going to be built. Remember it was started once and then it stopped. Sewage lines were started, then stopped then given to another contractor to lay down.
We are hearing about a private/public partnership and we are hearing also that the government may or may not invest. Somebody needs to make up their mind and since this project is the brainchild of You Know Who, would it not be best if he were around when it is commissioned so that we can see whether it will block the Lighthouse.
5. CLICO
There are thousands of persons who are awaiting the outcome of court cases so that they can know the fate of their investments in CLICO (Guyana). The President, however, made a promise that no one would lose their money and therefore those who are waiting would prefer if the President were around when the time comes for any payout. He made the commitment and therefore it would be better if he were around to ensure that this is done.
6. A LEADER FOR THE PPP
A third term will afford the PPP more time to find a leader. Right now there are individuals tripping over each other in trying to become the Presidential candidate. This is making life very difficult for the soup drinkers. They do not know where to put their mouths because they do not know who will emerge.
The PPP needs a leader and for a leader to emerge will take time. So there should be a third term to allow the PPP the time necessary to find a leader.
7. The Low Carbon Development Strategy
Without a third term what is going to happen to the Low Carbon Development Strategy? Right now the global community is not moving towards any binding climate change agreement and without this then Guyana will not realize its potential to earn hundreds of millions of dollars each year. We need someone to convince Obama and company about the need for this matter to be taken seriously because unless this is done, the Low Carbon Development Strategy will end up on a bookshelf accumulating dust faster. This is why we need a third term.
8. BIG TENT
We also need a third term so that we can have a Big Tent because right now everyone is scurrying to erect their small tents. With a third term, there will be motivation for the opposition to come together.
9. The 1200 jobs
Remember some 1200 new jobs were to be created at Sanata. We need an audit to find out just how many jobs have been created. After all, the government gave some concessions for those projects. This is why we need a third term so that we can ensure these 1200 jobs for poor people.
10. A computer in every home
This is the best news for a long time. Everybody knows that for a computer to work you need electricity and therefore the government will have to provide not just the computer for the poor but also the electricity, a computer desk, a printer, a UPS and bandwidth.
Some homes do not even have potable water. Some folks can hardly put food on their table. Some homes do not even have a table. So this is a big task and for this we need a superman. We need a third term!

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