Now is the time

Mar 07, 2019 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Now is the right time for the Rastafarian community to press for the decriminalization of marijuana. The government, which has been prevaricating on this issue for more than three years and has bluntly refused in the National Assembly to entertain even a Private Members’ Bill on this issue, is likely to now bend over backwards to place as many constituencies as they can.
If the government does not now give in to the demands for the decriminalization of marijuana, it never will. The government is now in full campaign mode; there has even been the suggestion that elections will be held this year. As such, the government is going overboard in trying to win the hearts of the electorate.
Towards this objective, Ministers are fanning out almost daily across the country. One Minister was publicly photographed examining a soursop fruit. It is not clear what he was looking for or whether he was just admiring the undeveloped fruit. A convoy of Ministers descended recently on Region Nine and dispersed to its various communities to beg the people for their votes. The campaign is in full throttle, despite some supporters believing that the government is going to appeal the No Confidence Motion (NCM) all the way to the CCJ, and that until this happens, there will be no elections.
Just this past week, the government rolled out plans for works to hundreds of roads across Guyana. In addition, major road works are taking place on the Sheriff Street-Mandela Avenue roadway. Work on other main streets is being planned.
All these years, the Stabroek Market Square remained the most dangerous part of the country, and the most trafficked. This past week, we saw a massive police operation, which locked down the area and resulted in the arrests of a number of persons.
For years also, there have been protests about the laws, which impose mandatory custodial sentences for small amounts of narcotics. Suddenly, we read about a Drug Court, which will reduce custodial sentences for minor offences.
This is the time to approach the government if you need any licence or permit or concession. After three years of dilly-dallying, a TV licence has been granted to the people of Linden. A training centre for young people was recently destroyed in Linden. The government has indicated that its reconstruction will begin almost immediately.
Coffee production is being boosted in Santa Rosa, thanks to the government. Deaf persons recently protested that they are being discriminated against since the police force was refusing to grant them drivers’ licences. Immediately the police announced that a driving test will be administered to some deaf individuals.
RUSAL is under intense pressure from the government to reinstate the employees whom they dismissed. The river is being blocked – an offence under the law – but a blind eye is being turned to this action as part of ramping-up the pressure against the company.
The signs are clear. Elections are in the air this year. And the lacklustre government has suddenly been energized. Ministers are here, there and everywhere. They come bearing gifts and promises.
The Guyanese people understand the drill. They know their votes are needed at this time and that the government will bend over backwards to help satisfy their needs.
The teachers are aware of this, and so they are now pressing for wages in 2019, knowing that the one thing, which the government does not want in an election year is a teachers’ strike. If the teachers ask for 50% increase this year, they will get it.
The short window, which exists from now to elections should be fully exploited by those who need things from the government. Now is the time to press for house lots, leases for land, small loans and timber and gold and diamond grants.

Now is the time for the young people to ask for jobs in the public sector. Now is the time to press for water and electricity. Now is the time to ask the government to improve the drains and community grounds where you live. Now is the time to go in and ask for social assistance.
The government is in a generous mood. It is, after all, election year.

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