IN TROUBLED WATERS

Dec 12, 2016 Editorial

In Guyana, local politics began with the formation of the country’s first political party, the People Progressive Party (PPP)in the 1950s with Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham at the helm.
Their aim was to bring the people together by bridging the racial divide and improve their quality of life. Subsequently, racial politics, especially during election cycles developed with the formation of the PNC in 1957. In a relatively small country with a population of 750,000 and a land mass of 83,000 square miles, Guyana’s development has been hampered by racial and divide and rule politics.
After 50 years of independence, Guyana seems to be in troubled waters, despite the promise of change by the authority. Considered the land of many waters, Guyana does not have an adequate water supply system to ensure that every area in the country is supplied with an uninterrupted source of water.
In the urban centers, most homes are equipped with pumps to boost the water pressure, yet residents struggle to get water on a regular basis. Conditions are far worse in the rural areas where there is not enough water for cooking, drinking, bathing, or washing.
The water situation is so terrible that a group of student nurses from the New Amsterdam Hospital School of Nursing had to bathe in the yard because the water pressure in the building in which they reside is low and there is no pump to thrust it to the second floor where the bathroom is located. The nurses have found their living conditions appalling.
Power blackouts are everywhere; in the cities, towns and in the rural areas. In some rural villages, there is no electricity and where there is, blackouts are frequent and last for several days.
Our communities are decaying due to poor planning and a lack of resources. This is true of our schools, hospitals and prisons where services are awful and not much is not being done to improve them.
In terms of food, Guyana is blessed with enough fertile land to grow food to feed its population and the entire Caribbean, yet its food import bill is extremely high. Guyana also has some of the best natural sites in the region: majestic waterfalls; spotless swamps; bird sanctuaries, pristine forest, beautiful animals, picturesque scenery and the regal Kaieteur Falls, yet it is not attracting tourists like its Caribbean counterparts with only beaches and a few other attractions.
Further, the justice system is problematic. It is exceedingly slow in trying cases. Some prisoners are on remand for years and many civil cases have not been tried for decades. The case of Bharrat Jagdeo vs. Kaieteur News and columnist Freddie Kissoon is yet to be completed. Undeniably, these are the sad state of affairs of the nation, and some politicians continue to shower praise on themselves.
In his address to Parliament, the President lauded his administration for the progress it made since taking office, there was no conciliatory tone emanating from his speech. The government’s efforts to unite the people have been dismal. In the last eighteen months, words were not matched with action and the address to Parliament is would be no different.
The country simply cannot continue this way. The racial divide and blind loyalty to party must change. Everyone should be loyal to the country. Guyana belongs to all of us regardless of our race, religion or party affiliation.
It is currently in troubled waters, which can be overcome if we are willing to put aside our partisan politics and selfish interests for the sake of the country and our children’s future. Together, we can build a better and prosperous Guyana and provide a good life for all.

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