The PPP was helpful in stopping another Guyanese idiocy

Feb 18, 2018 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

I am still sickened at what the PPP became after the death of Cheddi Jagan. I hated what the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabals did to my country, and hope the PPP never rule again. But as a citizen of Guyana that despairs of what is its essential ontology, I acknowledge that the PPP has helped in stopping another asininity from becoming embedded in this sad, yet comical nation.
Let me quote something relevant to the main argument of this column. Here is an extract from an email that I received last December, and the sender said I am free to use his name.
“Banks demand that you provide a proof of address on the envelope. If you think that’s bad, I had an experience at the Anna Regina Branch of GBTI, where I had to present a proof of address to close one of my accounts. So there, I presented one of their bank statements sent to me, it wasn’t even opened. It was shocking to be told that they don’t accept mails sent from the said bank as proof of address. Here was where is almost lost it, in my opinion a mail sent from my bank to you should be the best proof of address, since I’m sure it was no bogus document etc. The teller was holding out on this, and I told her that I have no other proof of address. She eventually sought advice from her supervisor who also insisted the same thing. Finally, after a number of calls, they accepted their bank statement as proof of address…. These are a few of experiences I have that really not augurs well for our country’s development. My name is Jose Ferreira.”
This is what this country has become; a land of asininities. This email is just one of hundreds I receive each year depicting the stupid country we live in. These idiocies have become part of life in Guyana and we accept them. It never occurs to the sad humans in this land that if just for once, we raise our voice in defence of our liberty and dignity, Guyana might join the modern world. My daughter at the moment has a quote on the fridge door and I would like to reproduce it here. Since it is in the kitchen, my wife and I stare at it all the time
Interestingly, it is from a movie actor, Michael J. Fox. He wrote; “One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized, and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.”
Guyanese have surrendered their dignity a long time ago. Even slaves rebelled to save their dignity, but modern days Guyanese are happy to be enslaved. It was the PPP that first informed the nation that insurance applicants have told the PPP that they were being asked to state their political affiliation.
Two insurance companies have replied and have told the media that their companies are not asking applicants for their political affiliation, because the anti-money laundering verification form that customers have to fill out does not state anything about political party. Indeed the form does not ask for support for or membership of political party. But that is not the point. The point is the officer tending to you can ask for that and who says the insurance companies will stop them from doing so.
A situation is going on for years now with the same anti-money laundering document at all financial houses, including all banks, in relation to proof of address. The anti-money laundering form requires proof of address. There is nothing on that form that stipulates that proof of address must be an envelope with a post office stamp.
I refer to my column of October 14, 2017 captioned. “Bank of Guyana about to stop a Guyanese stupidity.” Here is what I wrote; “Mr. Lall said the central bank has not instructed commercial banks to demand envelopes. That is a thing of the banks’ own making. He explained all the central bank did was to lay down the guidelines for the commercial banks to follow, and in those guidelines there is no mention of envelope. He informed me that the Bank of Guyana is aware of the envelope controversy and is in discussion with the commercial banks about adhering to the AML while making banking customer friendly. He said from what the bank knows the envelope request seems to be a problem.”
It is interesting to note that the banks are still asking for envelopes with post office stamps and persons allow this assault on their dignity. One hopes the PPP’s exposure will remove another silly aspect of life in Guyana.

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