Latest update August 20th, 2026 10:20 AM
Jul 20, 2021 Letters
Dear Editor,
Kaieteur News – In reference to Mr. Freddie Kissoon’s article on July 16, 2021, I had a similar experience to Mr. Sheikh Deen’s where he finds it almost impossible to get a replacement ID card.
I am an overseas based Guyanese and I came to Guyana in November 2020. A few days after landing, I went to the local GECOM office and told them that I needed an ID card. After checking, the clerk told me that I was not in the system and to call Georgetown.
I called GECOM in Georgetown and told them that I wanted an ID card. The lady whom I spoke to told me that they were not issuing ID cards presently but “very soon” they will.
I am still in Guyana today, July 16, 2021, and since November of last year, I have called GECOM about five to six times and, magically, the answer is always the same – they are not giving out ID cards now but they will very soon.
Two days ago was my last call and I got the same answer. I then told the lady that this is the same answer I’ve been getting since last year. She appeared taken aback because there was a few seconds of silence. I told her that in other countries, one could go and apply at any time of year for an ID card. What is going on here, I said? She then told me, “Well you know, this is Guyana.” And Editor, truer words were never spoken.
For the past 27 years I have visited Guyana for about seven times. A week here, two weeks there. I felt rejuvenated when I left. But now that I have spent about eight months here, I can attest that if a person does not have fortitude, Guyana can suck the life out of you and leave you mentally unstable and physically broken. I feel drained. Everywhere is a bottleneck and issues are passed back to you unresolved with euphemisms of, “That’s the way it is, take it or leave it.”
Yours sincerely,
Brian Samaroo
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Aug 20, 2026
2026 Republic Bank CPL – GAW vs. SLK – Dindyal hits classy 50 Kaieteur Sports – Guyana Amazon Warriors continued to build a nice win streak as they gained additional form and momentum...Aug 20, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – For two decades, Dan Rather was the face of the CBS Evening News. During that extraordinary period, he acquired a reputation as one of the world’s foremost journalists and television news anchors. He reported from some of the most consequential events of the late...Aug 16, 2026
By Sir Ronald Sanders (Kaieteur News) – Haiti’s plight must not be forgotten because it is no longer a regular feature of international headlines. The suffering has not diminished. Between January and early June 2026, at least 2,310 people were killed, 1,106 were injured and 99 were kidnapped,...Aug 20, 2026
Hard Truths by GHK Lall (Kaieteur News) – I used to look at the CCJ as a bridge over troubled waters. Up in the air now. When the expectation was that regional judicial heads would take a stand, they withered, faded, ultimately collapsed under the weight of their own reasoning, and...Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: glennlall2000@gmail.com / kaieteurnews@yahoo.com