PPP Government must be commended for the Buxton outreach, quick responses

Jul 13, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

The Prime Minister and eight Government Ministers descended on Buxton in an outreach that attracted more people than the roadside peaceful picketing. It’s a tale of two objectives. Never mind it was a random, reactive act, the Government wants to listen to the people and respond to their needs. The protest where Dr. Hinds was prominent and MP Duncan was cheerleading was apparently meant to stir up animosity and hatred for the Government. If the Complaints Authority had announced that three Policemen would be charged, why were they still protesting? There have been many people over the years who died in Police custody or died by accident involving police drivers, and justice was not done. But they did not all resort to roadside terrorism of beating innocent people, lighting fires, looting, and creating fear and mayhem. To have national unity and One Guyana, we have to acknowledge the good of the other side. It cannot always be tactics of “Expose, Oppose and Depose” all the time. That’s toxic for our poor nation struggling for better days. When we fight among ourselves, the imperialist corporations are fetching away our oil, gold and other natural resources, while we remain beggars.

I commend those Buxton residents who chose “problem-solving” over unhelpful and destructive actions meant for political demonisation. And such engagement yielded some good results. The news headline said, “Request fulfilled on the spot! Sport Minister delivers equipment to Buxtonians.”Within half hour of a making a request for assistance at the Ministerial Outreach on Monday, residents of Buxton were presented with critical pieces of equipment that will help youths in the village, sportsmen and women. Minister Ramson made a commitment at the meeting that a pair of modern, professional fibreglass basketball backboards and hoops, a John Deere tractor and grass cutters would be delivered within 30 minutes, and it was done. The Minister reminded the residents that the commitment made by President Ali to resurface the road was completed, and Minister Ramson’s commitment to deliver on the eight 50-feet concrete poles with lights and underground wiring was also fulfilled.

Nation, isn’t this what we all want in all our villages? We want our birth certificates, drivers’ licences, passports, tax clearances, TIN numbers, ID cards, NIS benefits, house lots, roads built, connections for water and electricity, requests for information on public projects, and all Government services, etc. in a quick, efficient manner. Let’s follow the Buxton example in all things.

All the issues raised at the Buxton forum are not unique to Buxton. They are universal and reflect every village in Guyana – bad roads, unresponsive Government bureaucracies, unemployment, bread and justice, better pay, no discrimination, better policing, etc. Most villages that solidly voted for the PPP feel neglected for the longest while, but the Government showed great magnanimity at Buxton. What is missing is that people need to connect the renegotiation of the oil contracts to give us more money to meet the multitudinous needs of every village. That’s what we should be peacefully protesting about all over the country. Without renegotiation that will give us more money, when would the other villages’ turn come to get their needs met on the spot or delivered in half an hour as in Buxton?

People should not begrudge the Buxton folks although they have not voted for the PPP or will never vote PPP. In 2020, the PPP got 83 votes there, while the PNC got 2,342 votes. All Guyanese must share in the national pie, but all Guyanese must unite together and protest the bad oil contract. I believe if we are united about renegotiation, the Government will appreciate that support and approach the oil companies with that “superpower” given to it by a united Guyana. The PPP can use that “Buxton approach” to secure mass support for renegotiation. Mr. Norton simply needs to apologise to the nation on behalf of the PNC for the bad contract, and the PPP must say it will honour its solemn election pledge to the people to renegotiate. It’s our wealth and our country, and we must care. We are the richest country in Caricom but we live like paupers, and our currency is even lower than Haiti’s. That must change soon. “A people united, cannot be defeated.”

Sincerely,

Dr. Jerry Jailall

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