Make 2011 truly the Year of Redemption from our modern oppressors

Jan 09, 2011 APNU Column, Features / Columnists

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The PNCR extends New Year greetings to all Guyanese at home and in the diaspora. In his New Year address to the nation, during which he named 2011 as the “Year of Redemption”, the Leader of the PNCR and Opposition, Mr. Robert Corbin reminded Guyanese that 2011 is significant in many respects for Guyana and countries with a similar colonial history and record of poor governance.
First, The United Nations has identified this year as International Year for People of African Descent. Second, this is the year that the constitutional life of this dictatorial Government comes to an end. In a very real sense, therefore, this year provides an opportunity to reflect on both the distant and immediate past and take relevant action. Guyanese must remember the oppression and exploitation suffered by our ancestors during the brutal and inhuman system of the slave trade and slavery as well as the marginalisation, discrimination and injustices meted out daily to Guyanese by the present oppressors.
This PPPC Administration has usurped the trust placed in it to govern Guyana for all Guyanese and, instead, has imposed a dictatorship. 2011 is, therefore, a year when the priority of all Guyanese must, of necessity, be to break the chains that have hindered Guyana’s progress towards genuine human, economic and social development in an environment of peace and freedom.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO WORK
The right and duty to work are guaranteed in the Guyana Constitution. Regrettably, the New Year has ushered in a continued assault on the workers of Guyana: No effort has been made to resolve the dispute at the Bauxite Company at Kwakwani, Berbice, (BCGI/ RUSAL), so that fifty-seven  workers at that enterprise have been denied their right to work for more than a year; The Jagdeo regime, with acquiescence of the CARICOM, has arrogantly assaulted the right of Mr. Carl Greenidge to work; and, the right of vendors to work for an honest living has been infringed by the demolition of their stalls at Bourda Market and at Parika.
These events at the beginning of this New Year make it abundantly clear that President Jagdeo and his PPP administration have no remorse and are determined to continue the violation of the basic rights of Guyanese that are guaranteed under the constitution.
These events, however, should be a stark reminder that, despite the harsh conditions of slavery, our ancestors by united and determined struggle were able to achieve emancipation.
They were able to purchase villages and establish an independent livelihood outside of the plantation system. The genes for struggle are still in our DNA and Guyanese must be reassured that with united and resolute action in 2011, we can overcome our present challenges.
THE DESTRUCTION OF VENDORS’ STALLS  IS AN ATTACK ON HARD WORKING GUYANESE
ON Thursday last, the PNCR condemned the destruction of the vendors’ stalls around Stabroek Market under the excuse of security considerations after the recent explosion of a grenade which killed one person and injured at least nineteen others. The decision to dismantle the stalls and provoke unrest and instability was taken long before the grenade explosion.
Before the explosion on Wednesday 5th January 2011, some vendors were alerted to the impending action and urged to remove their produce to avoid losses. The excuse of the grenade explosion will, therefore, fool no one. There was no explosion at Parika. Yet, on Friday January 7, the demolition of vendors’ stalls was carried out at Parika without any notice to those hard-working Guyanese who suffered severe losses.
Many of these vendors have been struggling to make an honest living in circumstances where no jobs are available. Moreover, the issue of vendors selling around Stabroek Market was the subject of a Court ruling by Madame Justice Desiree Bernard when similar action was attempted before the last Cricket World Cup.
The compromise arrived at, then, was that the Vendors would be permitted to ply their trade between the hours of 6:00 am to 6:00 pm daily, that their stalls would be removed at the end of the day and that they would maintain their selling area in a clean and tidy condition. It is obvious that the right of the vendors to sell was a concession won and amounts to a license by the Georgetown City Council. Any attempt to revoke that licence, therefore, ought to have been accompanied by proper notice and at least prior notification.
No sane Guyanese would fail to support action to bring order and cleanliness around the Stabroek Market. No sane Guyanese would also question any efforts to ensure the security of citizens. Indeed, this is the function of the Guyana Police Force that has been boasting of their intensified efforts, particularly during the last holiday season, to ensure security around Georgetown.
Throughout this period, no serious incidents occurred. It is, therefore, mind boggling that the isolated explosion of a hand grenade would lead to the present actions of the PPP/C regime. The unconscionable destruction of their property by Agents of the Jagdeo regime is clearly provocative and intended to disturb the peace of the City of Georgetown.
It is significant that this action was managed without the knowledge of the elected Council of the City and under the direction of the Ministers of Local Government, Mr. Kellawan Lall, Minister of Demolition Works, Mr. Robeson Benn, and Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee.
Mr. Kellawan Lall using his alleged powers as Minister took control of the Staff of City Council who are now working under his direct control. This latest incident and other recent incidents at the Linden Town Council explain why the PPP/C after more than ten years of planning for Local Government Reform has refused to proceed with the reform of the Local Government System.
The PNCR will continue its full support of the vendors who have a Constitutional right to represent their interests. These vendors have a right to work and it is the duty of the State to provide the conditions for them to make a decent and honest living. We commend these vendors for aggressively representing their interests.
The results of their efforts so far have shown that with united and determined struggle they can achieve success. The struggle must continue until an amicable resolution is found. The PNCR calls on the Jagdeo Administration to cease these provocative actions which can only disturb the peace we have enjoyed over the past years.
CARICOM MUST NOT BECOME AN EXTENSION OF JAGDEO’S DICTATORIAL REGIME
The PNCR has written the Secretary General of CARICOM and copied its letter to all Heads of Government of the Region, expressing its concern over the non-renewal of the contract of Mr. Carl Greenidge after statements of no confidence by the Government of Guyana.
The non-renewal of the contract of Mr. Carl Greenidge sends a strong signal that can only damage the confidence of the people of the Region in this institution. Questions must arise about the role of the Caribbean Court of Justice in such matter.
The officials of CARICOM and present Heads of Government ought to be aware that such developments are unlikely to encourage the remaining States to sign on and accept this important institution as the Highest Court of Justice in the Region.  .
The right to work is not only enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana, but also in the Civil Rights Charter of CARICOM. It is, therefore, a most worrying and dangerous development, when it can be perceived that ruling Administrations in the Region can use their influence on CARICOM to deprive Caribbean citizens of this right.
It is not the first time that individuals with differing opinions with their Governments have been employed by CARICOM. Indeed, two previous employees of CARICOM have demitted office to become Prime Ministers of their respective countries. It is also known that individuals with differing political opinions have enjoyed consultancies with CARICOM.
One recent example is the former Prime Minister of Barbados who, after losing Office, enjoyed a consultancy even while serving as an Opposition Member of Parliament. In these circumstances, one must question the double standards of this institution and its Officials.
It is hoped that Regional Heads will not be manipulated by President Jagdeo, thus setting dangerous precedents for this regional institution. CARICOM Heads owe the people of the region a duty to take a principled stand on the fundamental right of Mr. Carl Greenidge to work.
The PNCR will not will not allow this matter to be swept under the carpet.
The action of the Jagdeo dictatorship in depriving people of their right to work is not unknown. It commenced as soon as they attained Office in 1992 by the unwarranted dismissal of several serving members of the Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This behaviour has continued unabated over the years, but it must not be allowed to infect the Regional movement. In this “Year of Redemption”, it is to be hoped that Guyanese would take the requisite action to relieve our country from this growing dictatorship.

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