The political culture in the Rupununi districts of Region Nine is parochial

Aug 27, 2019 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,

The political culture in the Rupununi districts of Region Nine is parochial. The natives living here are straggled in a complex geographical layout of vast Savannah lands and rivers; where they are not aware of a political process or structure, and with no explicitly political skills, as often the case is with tribal groups of African nations and indigenous people living in the Latin and South American countries.
There is the very long absence of print, radio and television media coverage; they are deprived of a modern communication system, information communication technology (ICT) for information sharing, educational research and networking. Poor road infrastructure and unreliable transportation services; sub-standard building materials for the construction of schools and hospitals, etc., have all contributed to the breeding ground, for a parochial culture to exist in the hinterland regions of our country.
This has resulted in our locals, all being vulnerable to political vultures of manipulation, cheap hand-outs, schemes and fairytale stories, that have compelled them into an insular frame of mind, of which the former PPP regime took advantage, to harness and insulate this type of system for over a period of two decades or so.
Nevertheless, there has been a shift in this type of political culture in most recent times; where a more or less subject culture is now being patterned here in the Rupununi.
The introduction of radio stations and television, with free internet service connected to various parts of region nine, including Masekenari, in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, has crystallized the political atmosphere, where the natives are now identifying themselves in full support with the system that’s being put in place, and is a testament to the change of the political landscape in the Rupununi.
Residents in the town of Lethem, along with other villages and Guyanese living in neighbouring Bonfim, Brazil, can now tune into Radio Lethem, 95.1FM and NCN television to get authentic information and updates on what is going on in other parts of our country and afar.
Our children attending both primary and secondary schools will have the opportunity to close the educational gap between them and their coastal counterparts, with access to free internet service and the training they have received in information communication technology.
The students at Bina Hill training institute, of Annai village, North Rupununi, are also equipped with these modern communication facilities; while other training programmes are readily available to them.
Tour operators and others involved in eco-tourism are also taking the opportunity to market their activities via internet service, with offers such as: bird-watching, Rupununi wildlife adventures, indigenous art and craft; traditional foods and beverages.
This ongoing connectivity to the poor, rural and hinterland communities will make these activities even better for the number one eco-tourism destination in the world.
There are several other government-sponsored projects that are in progress, and that will be of long-term benefits to the people here. Most notable, the ongoing construction of the long awaited 3.8 km double-lane asphalt road in the commercial zone of Lethem.
Over fifteen deep wells were drilled to the depths of 100-200 metres in the various sub-districts to ease the water woes and burdens of the people in the indigenous communities. This initiative was engineered with much urgency, by GWI, in collaboration with a Brazilian drilling company.
On-the-spot recommendations and decisions were made in the fields by Dr. Van-West Charles, and his hard working hinterland crew, headed by Mr. Ramchand Jailall and Mr. John Yow (Jr) of Lethem. Such improved water transmission and distribution systems will ensure an adequate supply of quality water during the long periods of dry spells in the Rupununi.
Unfortunately, the APNU/AFC coalition was put on pause and placed in an awkward position, to administer the affairs of the country effectively, when the opposition PPP moved a no confidence motion against them last 21st December, which was validly passed by the Speaker of the National Assembly. Thereby, requiring general election be held within three months.
However, tense political gridlock followed the motion, where a number of legal challenges came from both sides of the house to justify the validity of the no confidence motion, and with the appointment of retired judge, James Patterson, as the chairman of GECOM. These matters were brought to the attention of both the high and appeal courts respectfully, but the decisions handed down by the latter, did not go down well in the political arena of our country. Hence, these matters were referred to the CCJ.
Mark Anthony Rodrigues

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