COMMUNICATION IS VITAL

Jan 26, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

The government has the pivotal and compelling role to inform the citizens of the state of affairs of the country, no matter how unpleasant or unpopular the information may be. Regrettably, the public cannot say with any certainty that after nearly two years in office, they have any truer picture of the state of the country or their socioeconomic circumstances.
The administration is yet to articulate clear-cut policies on the way forward; of how it would actually save the country from economic collapse.
Communication is vital for the development of any country; therefore, it is the responsibility for the government to have full and proper access to the media.
The wider public in Guyana seems to be waiting for answers, but there apparently are none. To be fair, there is no easy task ahead on the current problems facing the economy. The sugar industry is bankrupt, the price of rice has been falling on the world market, and it looks like bauxite is becoming stagnated. And because there have been some imprudent decisions or none at all by those in charge, the problems seems to continue.
The government seems to constantly be in denial and is not listening to advice or proposals from anyone outside the corridors of power.
The country is at a crossroads, and the decisions made from here on could significantly affect the nation. There is little to gain from arrogance or from an intransigent group of leaders who would dismiss sound advice and proposals from highly professional and qualified personnel who are not functionaries of the government. It is always wise to have a neutral group with no axe to grind to report on the performance of those in authority.
It would be useful and conciliatory if the powers that be could strip themselves of this disdain for worthy views, and not constrain themselves to their own views and ways of thinking. Truth be told, the economic development and the well-being of the country and the people are at stake, and there is no time for procrastination, incompetence and gross mistakes.
The people have grown tired of the shenanigans within the government. It should be no surprise as to why a large segment of the population, mostly the youths, has become frustrated.
The suggestion that the government is working for the good of the people is of little encouragement to the poor and the working class. The government does not necessarily have all the answers to the problems ravaging the economy and affecting the welfare of the people. No matter what, the road ahead will not be easy. The task of saving Guyana rests on the shoulders of the people and the politicians, some of whom are proving to be extremely selfish.
At the end of it all, it is the people who will benefit or lose out from the policies of the government. However, it seems that many of our citizens are despondent. It is becoming a case of survival of the fittest. What is urgently needed right now is national unity: a coming together for the betterment of a land that for too long has been divided.
Now more than ever, everyone needs to wrap themselves in the National Flag in these challenging times. They need to be possessed of the self-belief, resilience, and fortitude of the sacrifice made by their fore parents, without whom they would not be here.
The government spent hundreds of millions of dollars to celebrate the country’s 50th independence anniversary last year. We aren’t exactly sure what was achieved since that undertaking, but many are hurting financially and cannot make ends meet. They are crying for help, and for the government to lead them in the right direction. Procrastination is not the answer.

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