Drop in new pandemic infections, ‘iMatter’ App in GBV fight, American port security move and fishermen first casualties of oil fallout

Jan 30, 2022 The GHK Lall Column

By GHK Lall

Kaieteur News – It was encouraging, a tremendous relief, to learn last week that new COVID-19 infections were down to under 200 and slightly above 400. Compared to what we have had for several prior weeks, it is a far cry from the alarms of 800, 900 and near 1200. Though Guyanese are still being infected at an unacceptable rate, I grab this viral lifeline, and pray that it will persist in the weeks ahead, if only to give assurance that the worst is past. We could use the breather, the longest one possible. Now, I urge my fellow citizens to do what is right, and what is safe, for all. Get vaccinated, don’t delay, don’t endanger self and others. Don’t add to the numbers, and become a statistic.
From the Hon. Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, came the encouraging news that the ‘iMatter’ App, which is aimed at combating Gender based Violence (GBV) can be downloaded from both the Google Play store and Apple store. The ‘iMatter App’ literally puts help at the fingertips of GBV victims with the insertion of a panic button and through a 914 call. Lives could be saved, the traumatising arrested before abuse and partner violence spiral out of control. It is yet another constructive step by Minister Persaud and her team to fight this societal scourge and national embarrassment of GBV; domestic partners, mainly women, and children in the home, should be encouraged. I am.
The United States is going to give us a hand with port security and container control. This is encouraging because I think it is needed for a long time, regarding what comes in here, what is transshipped through here from foreign sources, and what leaves here and originates locally. We have had a swift and startling return to huge cocaine shipments from Guyana in recent months that were intercepted overseas, and which points to powerful criminal and vast corruptions firmly in place in this country. This makes sense for the U.S. to be involved in, for the damaging, and sometimes lethal, products that leave here negatively impact American society and the American way of life, including its financial underpinnings. Some of the areas of weakness needed to be identified and tightened, and as such this American partnership with Guyana is most encouraging. It would be still more encouraging for the United States to manifest the same spirit and determination to aid us in getting a better deal with one of its very own. That would be its omnipotent corporate oil leader, Exxon. When America’s interests are threatened, its people move with energy and insight to make things right, as in this timely port security and container control move. I would be encouraged to see the same with high-ranking American officials smartly moving on Exxon to influence it to give us Guyanese a better deal, a fairer one, in the best American tradition.
I saved the disturbing for last. Our fisherfolk are feeling the pain of our arrival as an oil producing nation, and of Guyana being the destination for an armada of vessels offshore that together wreak havoc with their livelihood. First, their catch has been noticeably and hurtfully depleted, with answers from those in power conspicuously missing; or when they do come, they neither comfort nor provide relief. Their dangerous and exhausting occupation, an honest one, is under attack, and they are on their own. They are being ordered away and chased out from their longstanding fishing grounds by stalking and menacing outsiders associated with the oil business. These foreigners are the new pirates encountered by Guyanese fishermen plying their trade on the high seas, our seas. This is most disturbing, and it would have been encouraging to hear or read that Guyana’s leaders are saying something about their plight, and doing something of substance about it.
But that is not to be expected, as Exxon has neutered them and rendered them impotent, unable and unwilling to stand for suffering fishermen. They are the first casualties of Guyana’s oil wealth. There will be more.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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Drop in new pandemic infections, ‘iMatter’ App in GBV fight, American port security move and fishermen first casualties of oil fallout

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