Change in government did not mean the corruption ceased

Feb 14, 2021 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – Politics they say is the epitome of corruption. Politics besiege corruption. As such, during the pandemic, coupled with all the chaos the world already offers, the current government saw it fit to dig deeper into the pockets of its poor citizens.
The pandemic brought light to many facets of life. On one hand we saw nature and the environment healing itself, on the other we understand that humans are gregarious and human interactions are needed regardless of how little. The pandemic threw light on how much, family and friends meant to each other and what we truly took for granted. Then there are people and organizations, like the government who took this time to bleed its people for that little extra, because why not. They need to help their friends and family get richer too. Pay back, I supposed for the help in getting them back into power.
Perhaps you will understand the tone from where my words spew the venom in my voice or my distaste. I implore you to understand that I am not against the government, nor am advocating for a party. I am merely voicing the injustice of what the current administration had me experienced. Allow me to regale you with my tale. My mother and I bought our tickets to travel back to the US, ensuring that we were compliant with all rules, regulations, and procedures. The nature of our travel was one of necessity as my mother needs her medical treatments as it was long overdue. The reason for travels should not be questioned, as I believe we have freedom to do as we please, but I share this much with you. Nevertheless, one such requirement is having a negative result COVID-19 test prior to travels, which must be completed within the past 72 hours, prior to travels. We complied by having it done at the public hospital and here I note that it was convenient and cost effective, given the nature and time sensitivity.
On the day of travels, mind you we live in the upper Corentyne, so our travels are the entire day long. Commuting is not easy as everyone who traverses from one place to the next can attest. We got to the airport, checking in etc. just to be told that we cannot travel. Why you ask? I quote that of the person attending to us, “your government refuses that COVID-19 test, it has to be done at one of these [stipulating a list of private clinics] places.” My government I asked. What does the government have to do with my travels and more so this test was completed and issued by a public hospital in other words a government medical facility, how can it not be acceptable. This was not upsetting to begin with, it was confusing. But the agent insisted that we cannot travel.
My 70-year-old mother, who by this time is beyond the term “bone tired,” and very much not well had to once again traverse back to upper Corentyne. But before that, our flight had to be changed. Oh yes, an additional expense on our part to have the tickets changed to a later date, until we can get that result from the list of private clinics.
The pure exhaustion and frustrations do not begin to captivate me yet. No, no. The adventure continues. We now have to schedule an appointment to have this test done. Again, I might add. Have you had the absolute pleasure of this test? I assure you the government fancies someone rummaging through your nostrils and in some cases giving you the fear that you might see that swab in your eyes or brain. They push that swab so up there that your thoughts are somewhere along that line. Yes, the private clinic appointment for the second unnecessary COVID-19 test, I continue. The deception in advertisement is a wonder and customers should always be aware. But here it was greed, pure and simple. The one clinic that can give us an appointment along with the result, within the time span of our rescheduled flight advertised the cost of the said test as $10,000. When we got there, it cost us $25,000. EACH!
Have you begun to understand my venomous spew? Now I ask you in your just hearts and conscious minds to decide if my frustrations, pent up anger and everything I shared with you were a vendetta? No, none of everything we had to bear was a result of anything we failed to do. The inconvenience is because of the greed and maliciousness of the few who are in power. Read my words and hear my voice, it’s a bitter experience and I wanted everyone to know that the administration gets on a pedestal and preach about corruption. Finger-point about the previous administration’s helping friends and family. What have they done? The same thing. Follow the money and you will see who the benefactors in this grand scheme are.
I leave you with a quote by Winston Churchill, and I leave you to ponder: “Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles for the sake of their party.”

Yours truly,
R. Malhotra

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