I am no longer enamored with the Coalition

Jul 14, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,
When the Granger/Nagamootoo (David and Moses) administration won the elections, I was sooo,sooo elated and hopeful that a change would come about in Guyana that I began a renewed interest in my homeland. I am a born Guyanese, living abroad, but had become disillusioned by the 23 (?) years of “rape” and pillage of the country by people who seemed to rule as thugs rather than educated representatives with the people’s interest at heart. I refuse to list what has become a litany of the misconduct of the past administration and misuse of the people’s funds and services. The abject disregard of what people think, disrespect for the people and acute selfishness that resulted in the state of the country at the time the current administration took over.
However, I am appalled and am broken-hearted at the continuance of the “same ole”, “same ole” that seem to have become the norm for the present administration. My elation has dropped like “bricks in water”. And I am totally dismayed and discouraged. Come home, WHY??
I do not purport to know the answers to rectifying the current low-level state of affairs. That is what the current administration was elected to do, but even a dummy could see that we are heading absolutely nowhere better than where we were in 2014. God knows I am hoping to be wrong!
I’ll address at least one issue – Parking Meters.
Who in their right minds would sign a contract without examining the details of any contract/agreement they propose to enter into? You need to know what you will gain and what you are willing to give up! Being attracted to a free trip to Mexico (MEXICO, MIND YOU!) and signing blindly is asinine at best.
Solutions to the problems that affect the people SIMPLY MUST have the input of the people. They should be included in the discussion and the best solution taken and implemented. But the Mayor stood before the people, sunglasses on, insulting the people and handing down directives. That sort of unintelligent behavior depicts ignorance, lack of managerial skills and disrespect for others! Who vets these people?
My two cents on the parking problem is this:
IDEA
· Create parking lots at about 4 spots – at each edge of the city.
· No more “buses” and taxis in the city – only bicycles.
· The “buses” and taxis will stop at these parking lots and let off people coming from the different directions.
· From there they take a “circulator” (A bus that circles one part of the city); pay G100 and get into the city). To get to another circulatory route one is given a transfer.
· People living in the city have to have a monthly renewable sticker as residents of the city. The sticker must be in view if they park on the street. In their yards is fine. They cannot drive around – they should take the circulator.
· Relief for car owners in the city will be on Sundays if they want to drive out of the city. Every other time they catch a circulator to a parking lot and pick up a “bus” from there.
· Saturdays can be made a day for delivery of merchant goods but must have a merchant sticker to get through.

EMPLOYMENT
· People will be hired to drive the circulator and others as conductors if necessary
· People will be hired as traffic attendants to make sure cars found in the city have a right to be there. If not, they will be fined G500 and increases by G100 for every day the car remains parked. If found illegally parked in the city after three notifications of infraction, the car should be impounded.
· People will be hired as parking attendants at the parking lots collecting the fares via machines which count the money as people enter.
· Daily tallies of the money are to be reported and collection taken to the Ministry of Finance.
· Road blocks at certain streets for entrance and exit into the city will be put up and attendants placed there as monitors.

FINANCES
· Drivers coming from outside the city who use their cars can park for the day at the lot – paying a parking fee, of course, about G300 and catch the circulator for G100.
· One can get a break in the fare on the circulator if one purchases a month-card.
· Drivers parking at the lot can get a break in the fare if purchasing a month-card.
· The parking lot fees will to be used to repair the lot and roads around the lot and in the city.
· Merchant stickers will generate finances
· The “bus” drivers and taxi drivers will still make their money.
· A percentage of the collection from this venture will be used to pay the attendants, the circulator drivers/conductor and monitors.
· Anyone found stealing will be fined and jailed. Fine and time dependent on amount stolen.
I know that there will be some hooting and hollering from some of the people especially those in the city with cars. Somebody has to make some sacrifice if the country is to progress. There are way too many vehicles in such a small city on a daily basis. The cleanup of the city is good. I saw only two or three mosquitos while I was there for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations, but it needs to be maintained. Hire some folks to do that. Give people work.
AND, for heaven’s sakes, conduct yourselves as educated people who want to make a difference to enhancing the lives of the Guyanese people so that once and for all Guyanese (pink, blue, green and yellow) can regain the pride and dignity that used to be ours. You know how many people from abroad will come home if the place is welcoming?
Lorna Abraham

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