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Letters

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Guyana on track for CWC 2007 stadium

I am happy to say that Guyana has come a far way in its planning process for the construction of the Cricket World Cup Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Recently, I have listened to comments from the Chief Executive Officer of Cricket World Cup 2007, Chris Dhering and Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council, Malcolm Speed who have lauded Guyana for the work they have done so far. They have expressed satisfaction that Guyana is well on track.
Those are the type of progress that will take Guyana forward. Let us continue in that path and surely the outcome will be one that will benefit all. AH.
 

Buxton situation is Traumatic

Guyana has finally experienced the worst effect of crime and criminals. Our children, whom we always acknowledge as our leaders of tomorrow, are being stripped of the opportunity to prepare themselves for the leadership role we expect them to assume sometime in the future.
I am speaking of the effects the criminals are having on the youths of Buxton who for the past five years have been gearing themselves for the Caribbean Secondary Examinations.
These children have worked so hard in those past years, especially since the heightened criminal activities that gripped Buxton since 2002, and now, when they are so close to accomplishing what they set out to achieve, the criminals are preventing them from reaching their goal.
The Ministry of Education, quite sensibly, has made arrangements for the students to write the exams at other centres, but think of the psychological impact the recent shoot-out between the criminals and the Police is having on these students.
Don’t the criminals realize just how nervous they are making these children and all children of the village?
Don’t they realize the long-term effect this will have on these children?
Don’t they realize that they are robbing these children of an education and the opportunity to lead rewarding lives?
This is the saddest thing to have happened to our children and indeed all Guyana.
Emily Patterson.
 

Minister Teixeira slams Mosley

I must commend the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Gail Teixeira for placing tremendous emphasis in hosting Independence celebrations. Many media houses were portraying negative messages that there will be no Independence celebrations.
They have also misled persons by telling them that we will have a mash celebration instead of Independence. Why are they so mischievous?
It is good that the Minister slammed Gordon Mosley from Capitol News for ‘beating around the bush’ with negative questions. The Minister alone could not pull off something like this; we all have to put a helping hand.
Mosley should take example of what they are doing is wrong. Mosley does not want to see development. He is always a pessimist.
JMD.
 

Let progress continue

It is with great pleasure that I commend the Government for the hard work they are doing in getting the World Cup Stadium built in time to host the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
I have read in the Newspaper that Cricket World Cup and the International Cricket Council officials have given us a fantastic rating for our efforts. We are on track.
This venture to undertake such an important sporting event is a gigantic task and I applaud the Government for committing our ‘little’ country to the world stage in 2007.
Even though it is something that will benefit the entire Guyanese people, yet there are those persons out there who are criticizing everything the Government tries to do. What is happening is it that those persons just do not want to see development?
But I say, with those type of developments, we can rest assure that a number of job opportunities will be created. We must support rather than criticize. At the end of the day, we are the ones that will suffer if we do not work as one. Once again I say, let us unite and take this country of ours forward.
Alex Hilton.
 

Government’s reaction was timely and decisive

The unprecedented floods in January/February have tested the resolve of the Guyanese people, and the preparedness of the authorities to handle emergencies.
Guyana has never experienced a disaster of such magnitude, and as such, we must be fair in our judgment of the Government’s response.
To date, the Recovery Planning and Implementation Secretariat, set up by Government, has undertaken several initiatives to bring relief to the thousands of Guyanese affected by the deluge. The Secretariat disbursed thousands of relief packages and also provided flood victims with monetary aid.
The Drainage and Irrigation Board was mandated to identify and rectify any deficiencies in the drainage and irrigation system.
Guyana is more prepared now for a flood disaster than it was for decades.
Let us desist from the doomsday ramblings of an impending May/June flood. At the same time, let us all be ready to co-operate and support the Government if there is any unusual rainfall.
Jason Hinds.
 

Stop dumping rubbish!

I hope that the residents of Georgetown are seeing the repercussions from their habit of dumping garbage around the town. Imagine, the place is already flooding with only a little rain! It just goes to show that some people are just not learning from their mistakes.
Passing along a number of streets, one can see canals and areas which were cleaned only a short while ago, are already filled with rubbish. I could not believe my eyes!
What is wrong with the people in Guyana? This is absolutely atrocious! This nonsense has to stop before we all drown in our own stench and filth.
Amanda Khan.
 

Many thanks to Government

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter to congratulate the Government for their continued commitment to improve the lives of farmers.
As a farmer I can say that we have a far way to go, but I am achieving my objective. Today, while I witness the signing of the protocol between officials of Guyana and St. Lucia, I was so extremely happy. I appreciate that the Government is trying to encourage persons to produce non traditional crops which is something that will be of great benefit to all Guyanese.
Also, the demand for non-traditional crops is very demanding. Once again, I say thank you to Government for assisting farmers.
John McDonald.
 

All kinds of mischief

I would like to know why is the PNC/R so critical of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Is it because they are worried about the upcoming national elections?
I thought this Party was very confident of their success. I wonder if they realize that severe pressure on the Commission might result in unpleasant consequences, which neither party would like. I was watching the programme “At Home with Roger,” a few evenings ago and I was very surprised at a statement made by the guest on the programme. This guest accused the current administration of paying people to do multiple registrations to achieve victory. How sadistic can the PNC/R get? They are now pointing fingers and hatching up all kinds of mischief.
One would not expect such a behaviour by the main Opposition. If they want to win, they should be prominent and serious, not behave like little children running around and shouting allegations to create a bad name.
Anita Wong.
 

St. Lucian market good for farmers

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter to express my gratitude to the New Guyana Marketing Corporation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Go-Invest for penetrating the St.Lucian market.
We very much welcome the openings, as it will encourage us to produce more and also maintain the quality. Many persons are also getting land from Government. Recently, farmers of Mahaicony received land titles.
I am happy that we are heading in the right direction towards developing Guyana. Let us keep in that path and continue to make progress.
Alex Hilton.

A plea to Buxtonians

It seems that crime is rearing its ugly head once again in Buxton. Many criminals tend to use the village as a safe haven to evade the law, while carrying out their nefarious activities.
During the 2002/2003 crime wave, Buxton was the ‘centre of attention’ and if you could recall it was chaotic.
Now it seems that it is happening all over again. Buxtonians, I urge you not to condone this lawlessness of allowing criminal elements to overwhelm your community. You have to fight back! Take back your community from the criminals.
Support the law enforcement officers who have a responsibility to serve and protect. Please don’t allow “bad eggs” to invade your community and turn it into a war zone. Eventually, innocent lives will be lost.
Sabrina Saywack.
 

Keep our country clean
Guyanese just seem not to be changing their mentality where dumping of garbage is concerned. I have a feeling that this practice has been with us too long and therefore it seems difficult for some to come out of it.
The recent flood we experienced should have been a wake up call for many of us. Yet, some have not learned and there are still areas in the country where we can see large piles of rubbish and plastic bottles along the roadside and in the drainage systems.
This is no longer an issue that should just be talked about to rehash who is to be blamed. The practice of keeping our environment clean should be the initiative of each and every Guyanese.
I wonder how many Guyanese citizens know that in other countries it is against the law to dispose waste on the road. This is why when one visits those countries, the areas are so clean. In fact, if one walks a pet animal on the street and the animals excrete there, the citizen has to ensure that it is cleaned or he or she would be prosecuted. These laws definitely need to be implemented here or we would continue to be in a sad state of putrid smells and an unhealthy environment. And we wonder why many tourists, though Guyana is so beautiful, shy away from spending their vacation here?
I urge all citizens of Guyana, especially those who love the country, to stop this dirty practice of dumping their garbage on the streets, drains and canals, whether it is a paper bag, a chewing gum paper or a cigarette butt. Please! Keep our country clean!
Lennard J. Wright.

 

Appreciative of the $10,000 package
I am very fortunate to be a beneficiary of Government’s $10,000 grant-aid package. When the flood affected us I thought Guyana would have never made it through, but it is encouraging, we have a Government which is concerned about the welfare of its people.
I commend President Jagdeo for his action in bringing this assistance to those Guyanese who have suffered from the flood.
We are all conscious of the fact that it is not going to help us recover everything which we lost, but it is quite a lot for the small man.
I heard comments by the main Opposition party that the $10,000 can’t do anything for the Guyanese people.
I am glad to say that Guyanese welcome the $10,000 because it is a boost for us to get back to our normal lives.
I would like to urge President Jagdeo to keep his promise of providing for the Guyanese people and not to let criticisms stop him from carrying out his duty.
Leila Ram.