Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

The politics of empty promises must be forgotten

Nov 12, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
There are a number of contemporary economic, political and governmental issues that have lacerated the Guyanese society within the past 18 plus years, leaving a very large portion of the society living below the poverty line.
When a substantial part of a society live in abject poverty, anything that is given to them is received with glazed eyes, open arms, and the givers are held in very high esteem for their benevolence.
Indeed while ungratefulness is a vile response to substantial largesse, allowing oneself to be used as a political means to an end is void of decency and wisdom.
Politicians who thrive on taking advantage of the nearsightedness of the poor and vulnerable should never be taken seriously. Sharing out handouts does not help the poor; at least not for any sustainable period. Therefore, it would be better if instead of promising to share out laptops and providing empty promises to the poor and vulnerable, while feting the rich and wealthy with trips to exotic tourism destinations, more strategic planning and implementation of policies to fix the economy, and provide more jobs, thus paving a sustainable way for the poor and downtrodden to alleviate themselves from poverty.
A very good way of helping the poor would be to fight corruption. Examine the issues raised in the Auditor General’s report and fix them. Embrace transparency and accountability, instead of secrecy!
For too long our pre-election politics has been characterized by the ‘father-giver’ syndrome, where all of a sudden all sorts of promises are made and not kept. Guyanese need to look past the promises and the rhetoric and start voting on issues. Crime, corruption, racial marginalisation, unemployment, the lack of a freedom of information act and the drug trade are just some of the issues that need to be addressed and fought vigorously.
Guyanese need to refuse to entertain strategic deliveries of empty promises that seem to be part of the accepted norm of campaigning at election time. The politics of empty promises must be forgotten.
It is with great amusement that I notice as another election rolls around the corner, Synergy Holdings is once again in the spotlight promising to deliver our long overdue Hydroelectric Project. It was this same Synergy Holdings whom the government announced would deliver the project in four years prior to the last election in 2006. For confirmation (providing the link has not been removed by the time this is printed), please check out the Office of the President Website link (http://www.op.gov.gy/stories/060724.html), and you will see that since May 23, 2006 a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of the power station at Amaila Falls hydro-electric project at the Kuribrong River in Region Eight was done between Synergy and GPL, and it stated that in 2010 Guyanese were to be enjoying Hydro Power.
It’s 2010 and Blackout is what is experienced. I urge you people to vote for change. Guyana could never survive another term of empty promises!
Richard Francois

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega Auction; Shepherd, Powell snapped up by RCB and KKR, respectively

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega...

Nov 26, 2024

  SportsMax – Guyanese hard-hitting left hander Sherfane Rutherford will get the opportunity to shine on T20 franchise cricket’s biggest stage once again after being picked up by the...
Read More
Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on Antigua Test victory

Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on...

Nov 26, 2024

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta State University

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta...

Nov 26, 2024

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural Windies Masters Cricket Extravaganza

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural...

Nov 26, 2024

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of GFF Elite League prizes

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of...

Nov 26, 2024

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final showdown

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final...

Nov 26, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]