This government is wandering in the political wilderness

Aug 14, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
Recently the Diaspora hosted a conference at the Princess Hotel. The President, David Granger, was the opening speaker. I did not attend the conference. I have lived overseas for many years and was almost tempted to attend. But then I asked myself, “For what?”
The mere premise of the conference – at least this is the belief of those like me who did not attend – is that those from the Diaspora have to appear to be organized, in order to convince the Granger administration that we can be called upon to assist the country. That in itself is what irks me. I can bet that most of the persons gathered at that conference are among those who would have been a part of the massive brain drain that has taken place in Guyana over the last 40 years.
I can grantee that with the drop of a hat, a collection of those gathered at that convention could take over and run the affairs of Guyana with substantially more precision, transparency, and progressiveness than anything we have witnessed over the last 24 years. And surely what we have seen over the last 17 or so years.
Most of the persons who were gathered there are professionals with pedigree attested to from reputable institutions of higher learning.
Many of those in attendance were people who have achieved their knowledge and wealth at standards that are measured by international values. In other words, they were no fly-by-night, Johnny-come-lately, political lackeys. They are professionals who remained in touch with Guyana and Guyanese matters and they are desirous of returning (some have already returned), to help.
It is a crying shame that, after all the campaign promises by the Granger-led opposition, the folks who in large part funded their political aspirations, volunteered their time and helped guide them to their upsetting victory, now have to grovel, hat-in-hand, for a seat at the table.
Mr. Granger should be embarrassed. The organizers of the event and those who attended must have had to hide their mortification and frustration at the current administration. Here they were, huddling and discussing matters that they could regurgitate at the drop of a coin. Forced to do this because a power-hungry government is refusing to engage the mental capacities of those to whom they looked, while they were wandering in the political wilderness.
Where is the diaspora ministry or outfit? Where is the point person/s to whom the citizens of the Diaspora could communicate, to register their expertise and areas of specialties? In other words, where is the fulfillment of the promises made to the overseas Guyanese just prior to the 2015 elections? Not many people will ask those questions because the notion is that if you speak out, you will NEVER get a leg in. It is here that the saying rings true; a promise is a comfort to a fool.
The United Republican Party (URP) is opened to the assistance from those of the diaspora. We would welcome your assistance as we seek to change the developmental trajectory of this dear country of ours. Politics will dictate that come 2019 many overtures will be made to the Guyanese residents abroad. Apologies will flow like the Kaieteur and excuses will be plentiful.
But it would take a real foolhardy person to believe that the current administration is willing to subject itself to the kind of transparency, progressive, objective thinking that those from the diaspora bring.
After observing the PPP for 23 years and now Coalition for the last two-years, if the overseas Guyanese are really thinking of helping Guyana out of its political, racial, crime ridden, quagmire, then it would be better for them to form their own party, or join one that is yet untainted by the blight that has infected our career politicians.
The URP welcomes any Guyanese who would like to assist in bringing about a real political change in Guyana. Can we do it? Yes we can!
Dr. Vishnu Bandhu
Leader, URP

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