Latest update October 22nd, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 24, 2017 Letters
Dear Editor,
Mr. Harry Gill, one of the PPP’s chief propagandists is at it again. In his letter published in the September 20, 2017 edition of Kaieteur News the caption states that; ‘The country did well under the leadership of the PPP’. He regaled readers with his common mantra that the APNU+AFC government is corrupt, and incompetent.
He said that despite the allegations of corruption under the PPP government, there were schools and hospitals being built and roads were also being paved rapidly. He further claims that Guyanese were happy, they had jobs and money in their pockets. He hilariously said that the crime rate was still too high, but people were happy. How can the tow ever correlate?
He further claimed that blackouts were diminishing and people didn’t have to worry. My concern about people like Mr. Gill is their attempt to rewrite history for the sake of demonizing President Granger. I will agree with Mr. Gill that there was happiness in Guyana. That happiness was reserved for the top two percent in the ruling elite, their hacks and fellow travelers. Happiness was for the few who got prime lands for greatly depreciated prices while the ordinary man struggled to afford to build a modest house on the standard 50 square feet house lot.
Happiness was for the ministers who almost immediately upon assuming office in 1992 bought themselves upscale Toyota Prados. Happiness was the forte of a minister’s son, who had no experience in importing cars, but was given a multimillion dollar government contract to import BMWs for an international conference. Happiness was for the few who could do whatever they wanted, but were untouchable by the police.
The public servants were definitely not happy with the unilateral 5% increases given annually by the PPP government. It took a prolonged strike, and the death of Donna Herod who was shot in cold blood to get a sensible increase imposed on the government by arbitration. The hundreds of young black men gunned down through extra-judicial means, was by no means granted the happiness that Mr. Gill speaks about. The people of Linden were very unhappy with the proposed exorbitant increase in their electricity rates, and were made even unhappier when three unarmed young men were gunned down in cold blood.
The sugar workers were very unhappy with the degradation of the sugar industry, and the wastage incurred by the Skeldon factory. The people of Georgetown were very unhappy with years of neglect, and a government minister wishing a health crisis on the city. Freddie Kissoon was very unhappy when his contract at the University was terminated for his criticism of the government.
The poor vendors that tried to ‘ketch they hand’ selling water on the roadside were very unhappy when Robeson ‘bruk up’ Benn sent his wrecking crew to seize and dump their products taking away the livelihood that Harry Gill boasts that people enjoyed under his regime. The people of Linden were very unhappy when their television station was taken away, and they were forced the daily garbage and propaganda from NCN, parading the goat man et al. Guyanese were so happy that they were migrating in droves, even supporters of the ruling party. So Mr. Gill please use accurate facts and statistics when you wish to characterize the feelings and station of the ordinary Guyanese. The stark reality is that the Granger government inherited a country with low morale and a complete decay of the social fabric. There was corruption, cronyism, and nepotism in every segment of Guyana. There was an absence of trust in state institutions, and people lost all hope. The PPP governments were clever at creating distractions and handouts to take people’s eyes off of the real problems in Guyana, but these were there and very well affected people.Mr. Gill and his cohorts would lead you to believe that the Granger led government is incapable of competently managing Guyana. The government has demonstrated a no nonsense approach and the political will to tackle problems at their root. For example, under the former government there was complicity and an absence of professionalism in the police force. The present government through President Granger halted all promotions, until standards were restored. The government would have no tolerance for an inefficient and corrupt police force. Is Mr. Gill aware that the President is privy to facts that are not in the public domain? For instance is there any merit to the claim that bribes were paid to secure promotions? Check your facts, check the issues and speak truth.
Jerrick Rutherford
October 1st turn off your lights to bring about a change!
Oct 22, 2024
– Sinclair, Bayley, Caldeira also claim Gold medals Kaieteur Sports – It was a golden night for prime Guyanese bodybuilder Emmerson Campbell, who claimed top honours at the 2024 Central...Kaieteur News – The ghosts of 2001 are still lurking around Guyana’s politics. It is like a persistent odour that... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]