Latest update December 30th, 2024 2:15 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

I support Glenn Lall!

Jul 24, 2023 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Peeping Tom…

Kaieteur News – Nothing in life has ever been achieved without sacrifice and effort. Guyanese must understand that if they require change, they will have to play their part, peacefully, but through their own actions.

Three years ago, during the early days of the pandemic, Guyanese responded favourably to the call for a shutdown of the country in order to save lives. For five long months, Guyanese stayed at home; only essential workers were allowed to work; curfews were imposed.

The five-months sacrifice saved lives. At a time when in some countries funeral homes and churches could not handle the number of persons dying, Guyana only lost 20 persons to the COVID-19 virus.  When subsequently the country was reopened, a further 1,279 persons succumbed to the virus.

Today our nation is once again at a crossroad. Oil has been discovered and has provided the best opportunity yet for our people to enjoy a life of prosperity and financial security. Unfortunately, the oil agreement which has been signed is lopsided and unfair. It deprives you the people of your fair share of the oil wealth of this country.

Our leaders have accepted that the oil agreement is a bad deal. But they are refusing to ask the oil companies to come to the table to negotiate a better deal. As such, it is for you the people to demand that they do so. In the meantime, foreign gold, bauxite and manganese companies continue to exploit our country’s wealth. And what do we have to show for it?

Three years ago, you the people sacrificed your work for the good of the country. During those difficult five months, the oil companies did not give you a cent in relief. The subsequent $25,000 cash grant which was distributed was not from the oil companies. It was your tax monies that funded that relief.

Today, you the people, are being called to make another sacrifice. But not for 5 months but for one day! Glenn Lall, the publisher of this newspaper has been protesting what he calls, the plundering of our country’s resources. He has decided that the time has come for the Guyanese people to take a stand and to let our leaders know that this wealth belongs to the people of Guyana and should provide for a good life for our people.  But this is not going to happen when lopsided oil contracts favour the interests of the foreign companies at the expense of you the people.

Glenn Lall is calling for a Day of Standstill, scheduled for Monday, July 31st, 2023. This is not a call for political upheaval or unrest, nor is it intended to cast blame upon any individual or group. It is, instead, a call for unity and solidarity – peaceful demonstration of our shared concern for our future and that of our children.

This Day of Standstill is an opportunity for us to come together, transcending political affiliations, and send a clear message to our rulers that we demand fair treatment in the management of our nation’s oil wealth.

Every Guyanese deserves a fair share of the prosperity that our country’s natural resources can provide. It is not about taking away from anyone; it is not about asking any companies to leave. It however is about ensuring that Guyana gets a fair deal. That is all that is being sought: a fair deal.

One day off from work will not bankrupt anyone. In 2020, we took five months off and we saved hundreds of lives. One day, off from work, will help us send a message to our leaders that we are united in securing a better future our children and grandchildren.

On Monday, July 31st, let us stay at home. No public demonstrations, no marches! Stay and home and rest. By participating in this peaceful act of solidarity, we are saying to our rulers that we seek a future where we and our children do not have to hustle for a daily living – a future where every Guyanese can enjoy a secure life.

I urge our hire car and mini-bus drivers to take the day off. I urge the truck drivers to not work on this day. I urge our speed boat operators to use the day to service their engines. I urge our market vendors to take a rest. I urge our petrol stations to close for a day. Peace is powerful and power belongs to the people.

Let us not underestimate the power of unity. Let this Day of Standstill, on Monday July 31st be the turning point in our journey toward a fairer deal for our resources.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Kaieteur News.

 

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO against Ramirez

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO against Ramirez

Dec 30, 2024

Kaieteur Sports- Guyanese bantamweight Elton Dharry rocked the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Saturday night, delivering a spectacular second round knockout against Colombian Randy Ramirez. Dharry...
Read More
Rutherford among nominees for ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year

Rutherford among nominees for ICC Men’s ODI...

Dec 30, 2024

Lumumba appointed Advisor to GBA

Lumumba appointed Advisor to GBA

Dec 30, 2024

K&S/One Guyana National Futsal Championships move closer to crowning inaugural champs

K&S/One Guyana National Futsal Championships...

Dec 30, 2024

Lewis, Gentle defend GTA One Guyana Open Tennis titles; each take home $400,000

Lewis, Gentle defend GTA One Guyana Open Tennis...

Dec 29, 2024

Zion Hickerson scores one-year sponsorship with ENet

Zion Hickerson scores one-year sponsorship with...

Dec 29, 2024

Features/Columnists

  • Consent is not a veto

    Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Bharrat Jagdeo, continues to muddle the discourse on the renegotiation of the Production... more

Publisher’s Note

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: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]