THE HAVES HAVE; THE HAVES-NOT DON’T HAVE

May 02, 2016 Editorial

There is a rather disturbing culture that has enveloped the country over the last few years and is now being entrenched in the mindset of the people.
The persistent social separation between the haves and the haves-not makes one think of an enslaved group of people who despite their hard work continued to be the hewers of wood and drawers of water. In spite of the repeated efforts and frequent promises by successive governments since independence to improve the lives of the poor and the working class; the poverty gap continues to widen.
The reason is that the institutional system is set up to benefit the rich and powerful, not the masses. It is regrettable. Looking in through the windows of the wealthy, the poor continue to marvel at their glitzy appearance and their glittering lifestyle.
The point is Guyana cannot go on with this type of social division. For it to develop and become prosperous, the wealthy must share more of their wealth with the masses by paying them decent wages. Decades of unequal social relations cannot continue to define how the country functions in the now. The latest affront of course is in the ownership of houses.
The ones who were supposed to help low-income families acquire low cost houses, have instead built palaces for themselves and have outfitted them with granite countertops, various types of high-end plumbing and light fixtures and high-priced trendy furniture.
Unbelievably, some of these houses cost over G$100 million. That some 25,000 people are today on the waiting list for a house in a country with 745,000 people is an indictment on the ruling elite and the separatist way that the country is being governed.
The increase in the demand for houses should not be a surprise because of the country’s youthful population. Further, a house is more than just a place to shelter from the elements. It is about dignity, stability and pride of ownership and a safe space to live.
As Guyana prepares to celebrate its 50th year of independence, more people should have owned their own houses, but instead, many continue to suffer at the hands of unscrupulous landlords, while a few sleep on cardboards on the pavements.
The furor over low cost houses for the poor would only have a positive outcome when those seeking to have their own homes decide to join other squatters, which could lead to the establishment of unplanned communities that can damage the environment, create unsanitary living conditions and foster dysfunctional family dynamics.
The housing issue is part of a wider, systemic problem in the country. The State has to ensure that the masses have access to opportunities to improve their lives. Education, health, employment and affordable housing are some of the basics.
Unfortunately, the culture of the ruling elite seems far removed from the fundamental understanding of the role of the State in the lives of citizens. The country has excellent intellectuals and academics but there is no proper mechanism in place to use them effectively and efficiently. In other words, vision is lacking.
The country’s climate and soil are virtually perfect, its resources are plentiful and its waterways are numerous, yet its food import bill is in the billions, while the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables makes it difficult for families to have these on their tables every day.
In this country of so much, infant mortality is high and people are still dying from simple illness at the public hospitals. Many students are failing the hard sciences and some have turned to crime in order to survive. The disparity between those enjoying the good life and those who are struggling to put food on the table has widened.
Those in authority are fully aware of the plight of the poor, the high cost of living and the difficulty finding permanent and decent paying jobs. The root cause of these issue is that the ruling authorities have failed to provide a better life for the poor so that they too can live happy and comfortably.

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THE HAVES HAVE; THE HAVES-NOT DON’T HAVE

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