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Planning is not the PPP/C’s strong point Aug 07, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom Kaieteur News – The growth of vehicular traffic, coupled with a densely populated coastal strip, has long made the need for a mass transport system an economic imperative. However, successive governments, particularly the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC), have demonstrated a palpable lack of foresight and planning in this regard. Burnham opted to close the loss-making railway system in favour of the costlier building of roads. But at least he acknowledged that this was one of the mistakes of his government. Don’t expect to hear any confession from the PPP/C about the failure to develop an improved mass transport system. The absence of a robust public transportation infrastructure to include things such as a light rail or even a motorized tram system, capable of moving large numbers of persons, represents a significant shortcoming in public planning. This will continue to have long-lasting ill consequences for the nation. One of the most glaring examples of this oversight occurred during the Jagdeo administration, which initiated the development of massive housing schemes at Diamond and Tuschen. These areas were envisioned as potential secondary towns, capable of alleviating the housing crisis. However, the government failed to integrate a mass transport system into these plans. The establishment of only a single access road to the Diamond Housing Scheme resulted in severe traffic congestion during peak hours, highlighting the incompetence in planning and execution. The situation underscores a broader issue: the lack of a comprehensive planning vision that includes efficient transportation solutions. The construction of the now-named Heroes Highway is another missed opportunity. The highway could have been a backbone for a modern mass transport system. However, the planning was again at fault as it lacked provisions for a dedicated lane for a tram or light rail. Instead, the land alongside the highway has been allocated to businesses, effectively foreclosing any future prospects for developing a mass transport system along this corridor. This shortsightedness is indicative of a pattern where immediate economic gains are prioritized over long-term infrastructural investments that would benefit the broader populace. A mass transport system, such as a light rail, would have offered numerous advantages. It could have significantly reduced the number of private vehicles on the road, alleviating traffic congestion and reducing the environmental impact of vehicular emissions. Additionally, it would have provided a reliable and efficient means of transportation for daily commuters, thereby saving time, money, and man-hours. The absence of such a system forces citizens to rely on personal vehicles or an underdeveloped public transport network of minibuses, both of which contribute to the daily logjams on the roads. The government’s failure to capitalize on these opportunities has financial implications as well. The continued emphasis on road construction and expansion to accommodate increasing vehicular traffic is extremely costly and is not sustainable. Roads require constant maintenance and expansion, and they can only accommodate a finite number of vehicles before becoming congested again. This cycle of expansion and congestion is not only costly but also inefficient in the long run. The PPP/C however is into road building and fails to recognize that this is part of the problem. The funds allocated to road development could have been better invested in a mass transport system, which would provide a more permanent solution to the nation’s transportation woes. Despite the obvious benefits of having a mass transport system, even a loss-making one, the PPP/C governments have consistently failed to prioritise its development. This failure is not merely a result of poor planning but also a reflection of a broader lack of vision. The government’s continued focus on road construction over other options suggests a reluctance to embrace modern, forward-thinking infrastructure projects. This approach is detrimental to the nation’s long-term development and will ultimately result in higher costs, both economically and environmentally. In recent statements, the Vice President gave the impression that the development of a rail system is not off the cards. But he certainly did not convey the impression that it was an immediate priority. Guyanese should not get excited by what Jagdeo says relating to a mass transport system in the future. Such assertions ring hollow given the consistent pattern of missed opportunities. There is no land along the main road routes to build a light rail. The window of opportunity for developing such a system is rapidly closing, if it has not already closed entirely. The failure to establish a mass transport system in Guyana is a cautionary tale of how a lack of planning and vision can have far-reaching consequences. The PPP/C governments’ inability to foresee and act upon the need for such infrastructure will leave a legacy of congested roads and lost man hours. The nation will pay a high price for Jagdeo’s and the PPP/C’s lack of foresight. The continued reliance on road-based transportation systems will necessitate further road construction and expansion, perpetuating a costly and unsustainable cycle. But don’t tell that to Jagdeo. He has a plaster for every sore. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Related Similar Articles

Emancipation and freedom are not the same Aug 07, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, It was Rabindranath Tagore who said, “Emancipation from the soil is no freedom for the tree.”  He was correct, as without economic, political, cultural and social equity, there is no Freedom. Freedom is a basic human right, and above all, economic freedom and economic independence are basic human rights. Otherwise, as Jean Jacques Rousseau said, “Man is born free but everywhere he is in chains.” Emancipation 2024 was a very eventful occasion. More events were held across Guyana than in previous years, as the government tried to make the event both a cultural and political statement. The expansion of Emancipation activities across all regions of course, is welcomed. People of African descent and all Guyanese need to have adequate opportunities to learn about our history, which is shamefully not taught in depth at schools. One can only speculate whether it is primarily because of political and electoral reasons, or our growing number of racial and ethnic entrepreneurs do not want “social inclusion” but are instead purposefully promoting “social cohesion”, using political slogans that are doomed to fail. The infamous saying “money is the root of all evil” raised its ugly head during Emancipation, the most sacred day of the African Diaspora. But as the song said, “Money doesn’t buy you love”.  Unfortunately, some will counter this by saying, “…money doesn’t buy you love, but it can buy a nice car to cry in.”  But cars lose value. Why devalue what truly matters? Political parties do not understand that “when we speak of the culture of a place, we are talking about far more than its artistic or its ‘cultural products’ – literature, music, dance, art, sculpture, theatre, film and sport. All of these, of course, are important expressions of the culture of any social group and are part of its shared joy in the business of being alive. Culture is about shared patterns of identity, symbolic meaning, aspiration, and about the relationships between individuals and groups within that society. Culture is also about the relationships between ideas and perspectives, about self-respect and a sense of security, about how individuals are socialized, and values are formed and transmitted. it is also deeply intertwined with structures of power and wealth”. Culture is about common bonding, common vision, shared values and shared goals. Only the culturally naïve could and would attempt to make ethnic superiority or political chicanery a political goal in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-racial society. Emancipation Day should be a day of unity, a day of reflection, a day of commemoration and a day of healing. Not the opposite Bob Marley like Marcus Garvey has left us words of wisdom, “until the philosophy which hold one race superior, and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned”, we will continue to be plagued by racial carpetbaggers and other cultural barbarians who will desecrate Emancipation Day. In Guyana, our Youth and the Nation must be taught the different Emancipation struggles our ancestors have gone through. We must know that Emancipation is a process and is the opposite of the winner-take-all divisive politics and cultural engineering. Genetic deformations are bound to happen to the perpetrators. Our first Emancipation was achieved in 1763 when Cuffy, our national hero, led the 1763 Rebellion. Our second Emancipation was in 1823 when Quamina, Jack Gladstone, and Amba (who were taught by Rev. John Smith) led the Demerara Rebellion seeking their human rights, their human dignity and their freedom. Our third Emancipation was in 1834, when Damon in Essequibo, took a non-violent approach to obtaining freedom. Our fourth Emancipation was the end of chattel slavery and Apprenticeship in 1838, aided by the resistance of our African Ancestors and the growing Abolitionist movement in the United Kingdom. Our fifth Emancipation was the African Village Movement now known as the greatest entrepreneurial initiative in any post slavery society. The Village Movement was about creating a different type of human civilization and society based on community economic development, education, faith and self-governance. Our sixth Emancipation was the end of Indentureship in 1919. Over 75,000 Indentured Indians of the approximate 239,000, returned to India, with some being betrayed by unkept promises. Our seventh Emancipation was Independence in 1966. This partial freedom was entrapped by neo-colonialism, capitalism and global racism now protected under the guise of “the sanctity of contracts” and the euphemism of development. Our eighth Emancipation was Republicanism in 1970. This was about breaking the chains of economic slavery and the beginning of the dismantling, however difficult, of colonial institutions. Now, in 2024, we need a ninth Emancipation. This real freedom must be about equity, equal rights, equal access and equal opportunity for all Guyanese, regardless of race, culture, religion or political affiliation. Especially now that we have oil. Emancipation and freedom are not the same. Bob Marley said it best, “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds.” So, during August, which should be called Emancipation month, let us reflect on the sacrifices of our ancestors and gain strength by knowing we “stand on their shoulders.” Let Emancipation 2024, regardless of cowardly and ugly initiatives to divide us, be the catalyst for all Guyanese to work in the spirit of umoja or unity. Let emancipation 2024 help us to move beyond Emancipation and Independence, to economic freedom, social justice, racial respect, and harmony, and above all, freedom in its every form – economic, political, cultural and social freedom. To do this, we must honour the sacrifices of all our ancestors who stood tall for economic rights and economic freedom. So, as we celebrate this historic occasion, we must not lose sight of the intrinsic meaning of Emancipation—economic, political, cultural, psychological and religious Freedom. Although slavery formally came to an end in 1838, the institutions and culture that nurtured slavery remained intact, albeit in modified forms. Some of the pre-emancipation personalities are still present among us. Many are political chameleons. August is a significant commemorative month not only to remember the struggles and triumphs of the past, but to also chart the path to a successful future. We hope our political culture will be reformed in alignment with the idea that “Politicians” are “Servants of the People” and that the People are not “Servants of Politicians”. For true Emancipation, we must therefore free ourselves of the colonial and divisive anti-human rights winner-take-all political system which promotes, nurtures and rewards our continued enslavement. Constitutional Reform is absolutely a critical prerequisite for a vibrant inclusive democratic Guyana. Hence, it should be civil society that should lead the Constitutional Reform process so that the essence of a democratic society is honored. Democracy means “Rule by the People, for the People”. May the Guyana Times and Guyana Chronicle have the decency to print my letters. They have not printed the previous two. May I ask why? Sincerely, Eric Phillips Related Similar Articles

Nigel Hughes and the AFC are creating an Iron Triangle Aug 07, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, The stability, security, and well-being of any population rely on prioritizing national interest, or the common good, over individual or business gains. That is a fundamental principle of politics and human rights. By refusing to sever ties with his firm’s employer, ExxonMobil, AFC Leader, Mr. Nigel Hughes is effectively setting the stage for the creation of an Iron Triangle which threatens this country’s national interest. Editor, for the benefit of those who may not know, an Iron Triangle refers to the mutually beneficial relationship between political/government agencies, legislators, and interest groups, in which each component supports the others to achieve specific policy goals. Though not illegal, iron triangles generally undermine national interest by promoting and enacting policies that serve the narrow objectives of interest groups, often at the expense of the broader public good and democratic accountability. Tobacco companies, for example, spend millions of dollars lobbying in the US every year in an attempt to weaken, delay or kill life-saving public health policies. The Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) reported this year that in 2023 the tobacco industry in the US had 262 lobbyists registered at the federal level, 75.57% of whom were former government employees likely to have increased access to highly influential people in the legislature and Federal Agencies, to the detriment of public health. Imagine the uproar if, in 2017, when Guyana’s Tobacco Control Bill was being piloted by the then government, an employee of the Demerara Tobacco Company was either the leader of an opposition party represented in the National Assembly, or a sitting legislator. Just imagine. In the early 2000’s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US moved to prevent states from setting their own fuel economy standards, prompting a suit by California and several other states. To avoid contradicting then-president George Bush’s policy goals, the EPA also revised internal positions on Global Warming. In both cases, the EPA clearly worked against its mandate which is the protection of the natural environment to the benefit of the American People. As a government agency, the EPA depends on the US legislature and the US President for patronage and funding; which leads it to act in the interests of those who, in turn, patronize the political class. Mr. Hughes would do well to know that the ‘Iron’ aspect of the triangle is that it is largely impervious to outside influence; so long as donors can keep politicians in office, those politicians will support donor-friendly policies, which in turn enable the donor class to thrive with a friendly regulatory environment. Ironically, it was Mr. Hughes’ party that just a few months ago accused Guyana’s EPA of being more interested in protecting the oil company it was supposed to be regulating, than the interest of the Guyanese people, when the EPA appealed Justice Sandil Kissoon’s ruling on oil-spill insurance obligations. Editor, as Guyana moves to strengthen its legal and regulatory framework for its rapidly expanding oil and gas sector, these efforts must be insulated from the influence of oil companies which have deep pockets and extensive reach. The creation of an Iron Triangle involving the country’s biggest investor can catastrophically harm our societal well-being and create a cycle of influence and dependency that undermines transparency, democratic accountability, and good governance. Surely the Guyana Human Rights Association, Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. and other ‘civil society’ groups cannot remain silent on this. Yours faithfully, Ravin Singh Related Similar Articles

It is time that we start publicly honouring our icons Aug 07, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, I am proposing that our progressive infrastructure, which includes a number of roundabouts, be used to mount statues recognizing our icons. In cases where there are many to honour, in some categories, busts could be done and placed in a circle at these roundabouts. Our streets could be renamed from first, second, third etc. with iconic Guyanese names. Roundabouts would be ideal for serving this purpose, featuring our singers, creative writers, poets, sculptures and artists. These names immediately come to mind-Dave Martins, Martin Carter, Arthur Seymour, Edgar Mittleholzer, Sheik Sadeek, Rooplal Monar, Lynette and Celeste Dolphin, Billy Pilgrim, Philip Moore and George Simon, who have made significant contributions to our cultural landscape. Take a leaf off Barbados. All their roundabouts are named after iconic Barbadians. The government could identify a committee to get this going. Indeed, some of our icons are still with us. For instance, Dave Martins hails from Region 3. A new roundabout just beyond the Demerara Harbour Bridge on the West Coast has been recently completed.  How fitting would that be to put a statue of Dave at the roundabout. His song ‘Not a blade of Grass’ has become almost our second National Anthem in defence of our territorial integrity of the Essequibo region. Why not a statue of its creator to remind us of his enormous contribution.  I look forward to our government giving this proposal serious consideration. Yours sincerely, Gem Madhoo-Nascimento Related Similar Articles

Will there be snap elections? Aug 07, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, Will there be early general elections in Guyana? Given that the official (PNC or APNU) opposition is in a state of disarray, badly fractured, and AFC is on a re-building track, won’t early elections make sense for the PPP? No, says leading members of the incumbent. General elections in Guyana are not constitutionally due until November of 2025. The constitution mandates an election within three months of the fifth anniversary of the first parliamentary gathering after the last election. The first parliamentary meet after the last general election was August 2020. This means elections are due by November 2025. But the country and the diaspora (chat groups) were abuzz with discussions and chattering since June of snap or early general elections, perhaps as early as December this year.  The procedure for an election is the President consults with the election commission (GECOM) on a proposed date or time frame for an election. If GECOM feels an election can be held within the proposed timeframe, it so advises the President who then announces a date for the election. The President has the power to dissolve parliament and call elections anytime within five years after the last election. An election is not possible this year as sources at GECOM said the commission was not approached about readiness for an election although the election body has been in continuous preparation mode for one. The body has learnt lessons from the no-confidence motion of December 2018 when it was not in a state of readiness for early elections. So it is constantly registering eligible voters and updating voting list on movement of voters from one address to another. Generally speaking, preparation for an election takes about six months. But an announcement is generally made three months ahead of a planned election. With GECOM not consulted about preparation and readiness, an election this year is ruled out. And with December, January, February being a holiday period, elections thru March of 2025 are unlikely as politicians would not want to campaign while people are in a sporting mood and mode.  Thus, the earliest timeframe for an election is March and the latest is November. The election can be anytime during that period. Surinam has elections in May and in Trinidad, elections are due by November 2025. Government won’t want to hold elections to conflict with either one. Politically, it makes sense for the government to go for early elections. The government faces no threat from the opposition – separately or combined – and therefore likely to win comfortably. The PNC or APNU and the AFC indicated they would contest separately. A divided opposition will result in a shoo in for the PPP in any election as indeed happened in the 2023 local election. President Ali is way ahead of Norton in favorability rating as well as in popular support; the PPP will make gains against the PNC (APNU). However, a combined opposition will pose somewhat of a threat to the government. A combined opposition led by Nigel Hughes will pose a greater threat to the incumbent than one led by Aubrey Norton. Hughes has higher favorability ratings than Norton among the PNC traditional base. And Norton has no traction among Indian voters. In contrast, the Indian middle class, professional class, and the business class display support for Hughes. Thus, it will not be surprising if Hughes’s AFC’s outpolls Norton’s PNC in a general election in a three-way contest among the three parties. The PPP is way ahead against a divided opposition, assuring President Irfaan Ali a second term if indeed he is re-nominated by the ruling party. But an early election is still not being planned. Vice President Jagdeo stated two weeks ago that elections will be held at the maximum time when due, meaning November. The government has many incomplete projects such as the Power Station, Berbice Oil Refinery, Demerara Bridge, Berbice Cricket Stadium, Berbice Hospitality Institute, roads, highways, more local upgraded bridges, hospitals, kokers, pump stations, etc. It would want to complete these projects for voters to be beneficiaries and reward the incumbent accordingly. Thus, elections before March do not seem likely although it is beneficial for the PPP to call elections as early as possible to catch the opposition off guard and divided. By that time, and if the election is held around March or further delayed till November 2025, the AFC will have rebuilt considerably, posing a significant threat to the other two parties.  Polling at that time will gauge the strength of the three parties and the minor parties in the fray. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram Related Similar Articles

Lincoln Lewis on Pres. Ali and emancipation celebration Aug 07, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, As I read Lincoln Lewis’s letter “President Ali, and his cohorts, using State privilege and resources to miniaturize the Africans’ Day of Emancipation was quite distressing” (Stabroek News, August 5, 2024). I am reminded of the expression “now the shoe is on the other foot”. In his letter he states, “President Ali and his cohorts (are) using State privilege and resources to desecrate events Africans hold sacred.  Emancipation is one such.” Well, if Mr. Lewis does not know or has forgotten, he may wish to review relevant editions of the national newspapers during the presidencies of President Burnham and President Granger to realize that President Ali is following cross cultural precedent set by his predecessors. Commencing early in his presidency, at times of the Hindu festival of Phagwah or Holi, Mr. Burnham would invite to his Belfield residence a group of Indo-Guyanese women from the nearby village of Nootenzuil to cook phulowrie for his hundreds of Hindu and other guests, all dressed in white, to celebrate this festival. As Hindu chowtaal groups provide the entertainment, the celebrants, including President Burnham, would have a jolly time dousing one another with colourful powders and sprinkling of magenta-coloured water. Similarly, President David Granger also carried out a celebration of sorts although on a less extravagant scale at State House, Georgetown. In a March 2, 2018 article “Hindu festivals help to foster cohesion – President Granger”, Guyana Times writes “President David Granger on Thursday asserted that festivals like Phagwah assist in the fostering of social cohesion in Guyana. This remark was made during a chowtaal session and pre-Holi celebrations hosted at State House on Thursday in the company of Cabinet members and other significant representatives of the Hindu society. The event featured performances from many dancers and singers who entertained the gathering.” Further Lewis writes “Freedom is not denying IDPADA-G state funding to function in a manner that would empower African Guyanese then creating a rival organisation that takes political directives and reduces Africans’ worth to frivolity by solely engaging in merriment”. Once again, the PPP seems to have taken a page from the PNC playbook. In 1969, a coup was engineered by the PNC and few Executive members of the Guyana Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (GSDMS), the largest Hindu organization in the country at the time, to prevent Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud from being elected President of the organization, and elect Mr. Sase Narain instead. Shortly thereafter, Sase Narain was elected by the PNC as Speaker of Parliament, a position he held from 1971 until the defeat of the PNC in 1992, often ruling against the PPP and treating Dr. Jagan, the PPP leader, with disdain. This was the period when two Diwali fairs were held, one by the Mahatma Gandhi Organization, the General Secretary of which was Dr Balwant Singh, someone who had ran afoul of President Burnham, and the other by the GSDMS which was headed by Mr. Sase Narain and supported by Ms. Rajkumari Singh. Interestingly, one year a member of Rajkumari’s Messenger Group who was an ardent PNC supporter at the time, Ms. Mahadai Das, was crowned Miss Diwali Queen at the GSDMS fair. As recorded in his book on Alice Bhagwandai Singh, mother of Rajkumari, both Rajkumari and Mahadai were on the staff of the Guyana National Service. This programme, I was told by a participant in the planning and research of locations in the interior, was initiated with the support of Mr. Sase Narain and Ms. Rajkumari Singh. That coup in the GSDMS marked the fracturing and rapid decline of this historical and once powerful Hindu organization and led, few years later, to the formation of the Dharmic Sabha, headed initially by Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud and now by his daughter Dr. Vindhya Persaud. Even worse was the prior happening in the Hindu Pandits’ Council, a Council of Hindu priests drawn from the Brahmin caste and closely associated with the GSDMS. To appease the Brahmin priests for their support and give them exclusive legal right to the priesthood, the PNC Government passed a law in 1967 (Act No. 13 of 1967) defining a pandit as a Brahmin. This meant that priests from other Hindu denominations, e.g. the Arya Samaj, could not be recognized legally as priests. Also, a President of the Council was later appointed as a Government Minister. Although enforcement of this law has been problematic, I believe it is still on the books and should be revoked. Sincerely, Harry Hergash Related Similar Articles

By Rafiki HAVANA TIMES – Today’s featured band is Steel Pulse from Birmingham, England with the song “Global Warming” from the album “African Holocaust” (2004). ...