These seven considerations I need the President to address

Jun 30, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
As a young Guyanese, who love my country very much, and wish so much to see it prosper and progress, I am bothered by a number of things that have occurred recently, in our society, and others that continue to capture our attention, at the political level.
1. Appointment of a Gecom Chairman: why is it that H.E. President David Granger continues to engage in semantics as it relates to the selection of a candidate for the filling of this critically important vacant post? Is it that he has a specific person in mind for this post, and since that name is not appearing on the lists being submitted, he flagrantly disregards all other options? If the appointee is found to not be impartial in the discharge of the duties of the post, surely there must be some provision for his or her removal. I do not believe there is anyone out there who is not sympathetic to one political party or the other.
2. Loss of life: the almost daily shedding of blood and loss of life by premeditation or in accidents should be cause of concern for us all, as a people of faith. As a Christian, we believe that our adversary, the devil, is there to steal, kill and destroy, and he roams about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. I, therefore, take this opportunity to call on churches country-wide to engage in more prayer for our people, against the shedding of blood and loss of precious lives, across our country, and for us to be drawn closer to the Lord.
3. Conduct of Minister Raphael Trotman: the manner in which senior Minister Raphael Trotman chose to conduct himself recently in Parliament was nothing short of vitriolic, a display of pure arrogance and a show of utter disrespect for a former President of Guyana. And the Speaker said nothing! We may not like a person holding a certain office, but as a civilized people we must accord respect to the particular office. You mean to say former President Jagdeo did not do even one good for our country that Mr. Trotman, someone I considered sophisticated, had to attempt to disparage him? Undoubtedly, Mr. Trotman only did himself harm. As parliamentarians, they might as well stop referring to members as “honourable”.
4. Conduct of Minister Simona Judy Broomes: to date, there has been no indication that the actions of Minister Simona Judy Broomes, and United States honouree, who brought the Guyana Parliament into disrepute, with her video making skills, has been dealt with. The nation is watching, Your Excellency, President Granger, and Hon. Dr. Bartland Scotland. I am prompted to wonder about the status of the highly touted Code of Conduct for Ministers.
5. Big spending: it is no surprise that the President was prompted to hold discussions with Permanent Secretaries regarding the curbing of Government spending. The ‘cadillac’ lifestyle enjoyed by a select group in this small, developing country is simply too much for the ordinary citizen to comprehend and accept, especially when that lifestyle is financed with public funds. Almost all the Ministers have gained weight; clearly, they are enjoying “the good life”. The latest splurge coming to light is the $500,000 property rental for two (2) junior Ministers. With all the excesses, no wonder the ordinary people were all flooded out, because no one cared to spend monies preparing the pumps and drainage system in anticipation of floods from heavy rainfall, in areas outside of Georgetown. After the damage was done, then we heard that pumps were not working. How unconscionable!
6. Flooding: as if the village of Buxton was the only flood affected village, we heard that two (2) Ministers would hold an outreach to that village. The President who should be leading by example was nowhere to be seen. Who is really advising him? So much for him being a “popular” President, as Mr. Joseph Harmon pronounced. His absence spoke volumes and suggests to the ordinary man that he is very much elitist.
7. Robberies: the bandits seem to be having free reign, with reports of robberies, daily. Where are the police patrols? My fellow citizens are urged to not make themselves easy targets for the bandits. The seawall sites seem to now be their chosen place of seeking victims.
Editor, Guyanese deserve better from our office holders, who must all remember that they are the servants of the people. This is why they were placed there. Scriptures tell us that promotion does not come from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he “putteth down one, and setteth up another.” If God had not allowed your ascension to high office, it would not have happened. So, govern righteously, govern justly! And be more Christ-like, as the majority of Cabinet members and parliamentarians are Christians. May God bless our country and its people!
Marcia Fernadez

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