Latest update January 19th, 2025 5:31 AM
Jun 15, 2022 Letters
Dear Editor,
I noticed the revealing articles in SN and KN dated June 13 where a founder/leader of the Article 13 Group spoke of the startling development with the land once earmarked for the Guyana Revenue Authority. It is snatched away.
Remarkable, indeed, and more so, because that land formerly identified for Guyana’s leading revenue collection agency (and much more) is for a foreign hotel developer. Incredible!
It is incredible that this PPP Government and its agents, acting pursuant to leaders’ dictates could so debonairly shove aside a potent state entity like the GRA in favour of outsiders. Guyanese collecting money for the state according to law and as such, and they are kicked out to free space for foreigners to make money through us. If it was a standalone development, maybe (just maybe) it may have been rationalised, perhaps overlooked. But not with similar goings on, but which remains largely beyond the appreciation of the mass of citizens.
As one example only, there are two foreign financial institutions that have taken the fullest advantage of our corrupt culture to benefit handsomely at our expense. Their foreign corporate parents grant a loan to the Guyana subsidiary, which serves as seed money-venture capital to land attractive prospects in booming, opportunity-riddled Guyana. One of the biggest targets right now is land, for land offers the groundwork for many visions to capitalize on the Guyana dream. Foreigners dream, while we live with these ongoing nightmares, the latest being this GRA to hotel land caper.
The parents’ loans are repaid aggressively, so there is nothing of substance on the books here, no real asset base in Guyana. Foreigners buy cheap chips in the Guyana game, readying to convert them into fabulous multiples of the original investment, and cash-in at the Guyana casino. It is a sure thing, no losers, except lowly Guyanese. The President has of late toned down his vocals about Guyana being the next Dubai, maybe he is sounding out this one: Guyana is the next Las Vegas. I remind him of Atlantic City, plus how the mafia took over Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, the savvy foreigners familiarise themselves on how to work Guyana’s system-politicians, professional elites, and public servants-and compromise it. They are approved for prized plots of land for any enriching objective. Some of the pros that are recruited for the local money game are recognizable members of Guyana’s legal fraternity, who front for them to get things done, with well-paid monthly rewards for their collaborations in plundering this land.
Leaders have not thought out, or put their arms smartly enough, around what is happening right under their noses. Where are they when there is so much selling out and giving away of Guyana’s prime assets? They can’t be this nonchalant with our properties when foreigners are involved, but so stingy and squeezing when Guyanese say do the same for us, help us. Compare this to the reality of Guyanese. To get a parcel of land requires joining lines; or having lines to the right people to avoid waiting forever and futilely in lines.
I am loathed to express our stupidity, easy corruptibility, but we go about matters in reverse. Locals come first, should have pride of place, which is a hallmark of citizenship globally. As a national community always moving elsewhere, we have to wait our turn and bide our time, after paying our dues (I did). The same must be the norm here with first preference being the first birthright of citizenship. How is it that the bureaucracy and rules only apply when less-connected Guyanese are involved? Could the VP help?
Moreover, our financial watchdogs sit on their hands, our regulators are neither seen nor heard, and those who do show are part of the game. One doesn’t need advanced degrees to appreciate the costly lapses in our vigilance regime, the glaring inconsistencies, in how most sectors are policed, and how some are allowed to pass through bureaucracy and scrutiny, and then prosper richly from all their exploits that remain largely unhusbanded. Somebody has to care, some Guyanese with seniority and standing should, at least, want to correct matters like these, so that we Guyanese enjoy a level playing field. I nominate the President and VP. When we should have a clear advantage, we are not even in the running. Recall the GRA, reduced to almost a squatter.
My last thought is how much influence is peddled and how high, how much money is passed, and how many are involved. I know, a dozen questions pretending at one.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
Jan 19, 2025
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