What are we doing to our artistes?

Feb 25, 2018 News

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By Leonard Gildarie

 Since May 2015, under the Coalition Government, a number of inquiries, forensic audits and reviews were ordered to determine the way forward for Guyana. There are several changes, structurally and otherwise, at state-controlled institutions.
A White Paper has been tabled for the Guyana Sugar Corporation, and by now, we all know what is happening. The protection and controlled exploitation of our forest and natural resources are being addressed and the water and electricity companies are also looking to the future.
We heard this past week of GWI explaining to the Public Utilities Commission, of plans to reduce the iron content in water to the taps; the need for backup power at the wells and for an across-the-board increase in rates and taxes. There are objections, of course, on this one.
Suffice to say, the engagements during the public hearings at Cara Lodge are a clear demonstration that something is happening.
While GWI’s application could be considered a little overboard, wanting to ensure the state-owned company remains a viable one, the strenuous objections from consumer advocates are heartening.
GWI’s management made more than a compelling argument for the increases, pointing to short and mid-term developments that require significant capital outlays, including for metering…more than 90,000 customers are being targeted.
For me, the proceedings are what Guyana needs to move forward…meaningful consultations with the populace. We cannot take decisions that affect thousands of lives while we sit in air-conditioned offices. In the same way, we are encouraging our people to monitor projects.
This issue is a sore one. Every occasion where there is a sod-turning event or signing of a contract, we hear officials “appealing” to residents and other stakeholders to make checks on the contractors while the job is being done.
Well, we have been paying attention to the airport expansion…it cost Guyana at least US$150M. We were not too happy to see trucks brought in for logging purposes – under duty free concessions – being granted contracts to fetch sand for the airport.
How could this be? Where is the project manager of the Timehri airport? Where are the engineers who make reports?
The use of foreign equipment to unfairly compete in other sectors is a clear no-no. I don’t know of anywhere in the world that such transgressions happen, and we on the other hand, merely shrug our shoulders and say ‘that’s life in Guyana’.
We know of many cases where citizens are given the royal runaround to find out why the road cap is so thin. You are being asked to contact the ministry or somebody senior.
Guess what? That monitoring of contracts, paid for by tax dollars, means nothing, as you invariably run into a stone wall. Try talking to an engineer on the ground on projects and you will see the hostility. There are a few exceptions, of course.
We have a far way to go when it comes to participation from the citizenry. These are fights that we must pick to ensure.
On Friday, Guyana celebrated its 48th year as a Republic. After a lull and seeming disinterest from citizens and big companies alike, there was an excellent turnout at the Mashramani parade. I saw complaints of some vulgar Deejays, belting out expletives. There would have been cheering and overly suggestive gyrating from some carefree individuals. However, we have to be mindful of the people who have children around. The event is a family affair and the coordinators have to be aware of the preferences, acts and verbal expressions that would be appropriate in such circumstances.
But there were also the behind-the-scenes efforts at the events that herald Mash Day.
Calypsos and Soca competitions…the steel pans. The competitions are stiff. There is hard work by singers and other artistes. Yet, the coverage and seeming disinterest in highlighting our stars is palpable.
I hardly listen to radio. It is my fault…I work long hours, with little time for anything else. So I can’t help not hearing some of the pieces by our artistes.
We have got to find better ways to market our people. I would not go beyond, but in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Barbados are highly protective of their people and their arts.
Sundar Popo, Machel Montano, and even our own Guyanese half-blood Rihanna are national treasures. There are copyright laws and other mechanisms in place to boost the morale and exposure of these artistes.
Guyana has talented artistes, but save for a few media houses, there is little going for these performers when it comes to marketing. Some will tell you of being saved by a few gigs.
They will tell you of the struggle of receiving a little pittance for a performance or two.
Yes, our artistes have a hard time.
Events like Mashramani allow for a few to shine. But then, that is just one day.
We have been talking about copyright legislation to protect our treasures. We will have oil in a few years. We have national budgets. Perhaps the authorities should ask for a bigger budget for the protection and marketing of our artistes.
Trinidad makes mad money with its carnival and its music. Why not us? And where are the new copyright laws?
The last administration failed us. Let us not continue along the same vein.

 

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