EXTENDING A HELPING HAND

Dec 31, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists

At this time of the year, there is no shortage of goodwill in Guyana. Just turn the pages of this newspaper and one will see stories of people giving to the less fortunate, to the elderly and to children. There are many more acts of kindness being displayed throughout the holiday season but most are not being reported.
However, we are proud to offer our sincere thanks to those who have extended a helping hand to others, including the publisher, Glenn Lall; editor-in-chief, Adam Harris, and the staff of this publication.
If the show of human compassion would help to change the life of just a few persons for the better, it would have been worth the effort. Nonetheless, the spirit of giving has not been made easy for many who are affected by the poor state of the economy. In fact, there are many others who would like to give but are not able to do so because they can hardly provide for themselves. This is the sad state of affairs for many.
We would be remiss if we did not express our deep concern for the future of the country and for the poor and the lower working class who have not seen much change in their lives during the past year.
During the last election campaign, the nation was promised change and a better life for all. But one and a half years later, not much has changed in the country. The ruling elite has not delivered on their promises to reduce crime, end corruption, create jobs, end the power blackouts, reduce poverty and be accountable to the people.
Despite spending over $200 million on forensic audits and the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), except for a former minister and her assistant, no one else has been prosecuted. In fact, the former Chairman of NICIL who it is alleged was involved in malfeasance was allowed to leave the country. This is true of the former Deputy CEO of Guyana Power and Light (GPL) who it is alleged stole $28 million from GPL. He also departed the country.
Many believe that the current policies of the administration have not helped the economy. The promise to provide jobs for the youths and safety for the people, among others, has not materialized.
As the nation gets ready to say good-bye to 2016, Guyanese both at home and in the Diaspora are hoping for the best in 2017. Many are praying that conditions will improve for the more than 55 percent of those who are poor and are unable to find good paying jobs to put food on the table or a roof over their heads.
However, despite the many problems facing the country, those in authority would have us believe that all is well and that there will be positive changes in the New Year. The promise to reduce poverty and crime, end corruption, develop the economy and create jobs has not succeeded, yet those in authority continue to believe that the country is on the right path.
The New Year should be the beginning of a new era for all Guyanese to confront and eradicate crime, rebuild the fragile economy, end joblessness. It should be an era to help the poor to rise above their poverty status. It is a time for all to extend a helping hand to the less fortunate, strive for unity and accelerate the progress towards the realization of the goal of a better life for all.

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