We seem to be better off than many
AS I read the newspapers of April 17, I saw two headlines that attracted my attention and encouraged me to read further – Rough Seas ahead and Rough Times ahead – Mia. Now this surely cannot augur well for the country involved which is Barbados and by extension its Caribbean counterparts.
Opposition Leader Mia Motley’s warning must be seen in a broader context of what effects the fuel hike will have on the country’s production and transportation sectors. She has indicated that the rise in prices in that tourism-based economy will lead to job losses and some suffering. Her colleague Dr Omar Davies also warned that this could threaten social stability of the island which has seen increases in chicken, rice and flour over recent weeks.
Motley has rightly projected that spending power of Barbadians will contract as they will have to spend more on the same items they are accustomed to buying.
Motley even went further to state that if there is a reduction in spending and investment these will have a negative effect on the economy.
The fact that diesel is the affected commodity says a lot which brings me to our own situation, and while I don’t praise this administration I must say that in comparison Guyanese are doing far better.
The fact that Guyana recently zero-rated diesel so as to cushion the effect of the rising prices on the consuming public tells a lot that the administration is perhaps looking into the nation’s welfare. The government has said that this move will cost the treasury some three billion dollars. It’s in times like these that Guyanese need to be appreciative because the administration could have gone the route of Barbados as oil is now trading at close to 115 United States dollars per barrel.
Now is a good time to push conservation of energy, and for people to turn to the soil to assist in self-sufficiency.
A. THOMPSON
======================
Govt. has a good record
VERY recently they were some sectors of the Guyanese society that were venting frustration just about every and anything in Guyana.
While people have rights to their opinion, to get the facts we must weigh and create a balance.
The democratically elected governments of Guyana were elected by the majority of the population and this was done very freely and openly.
First of all I am not affiliated to any party or government organizations, but Guyanese need to take a good look at their country and see where they are today compared to that of twenty six years of PNC rule.
We were at the very bottom of the list in terms of stability, economics and growth. Since the PPP/Civic took office Guyana has moved up the bracket and things are better off. Guyanese must be proud of their government for the achievements made over the years.
Take a look at Guyana today we have modern roadways, better sea defences among other things.
We were living in fear during those days. We remember the long lines for basic food items, shortages of potable water, limited electricity, non existent telephone systems and the list goes on and on.
Look around Guyana today. We see a different picture, one that tells you of a better future for all Guyanese.
How many still remember the words:” Guyana the poorest in the western hemisphere”. We are happy that those days are behind us and we can now look ahead towards working together to continue to build this beautiful country.
AYUBE KHAN
======================
Some are born great
“SOME are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” I don’t want to get carried away here, but I firmly believe that “Tiger’s” heroics in that match against Sri Lanka qualifies him to fit neatly into any or all of those categories so well articulated by Shakespeare. Here is a guy, facing the prospect of losing the match, carted the final two balls of the game for ten runs in the most authoritative fashion possible. Only legendary players can summon the will and courage, not to mention skill, to pull off a victory in the face of almost certain defeat. By achieving this phenomenal victory for his team, Shiv strode into the annals of cricketing’s greatest accomplishments like a colossus. All Guyanese and West Indians should be very proud of him.
Now that I have doled out the kudos, it’s time to hand out the “brickbats.” I was astounded by reports that Shiv left in the middle of a game to attend an awards function in Trinidad. Important as that function was, it was rude, crude, and disgusting for a player of his calibre, or any player for that matter, to display such arrogance and disrespect not only to his team mates, but more importantly to the FANS who pay to watch him play. If the circumstances are as reported, such rank indiscipline and contempt should have been met with some form of disciplinary action by the Boards. Such behaviour requires “tough love” and should have been sanctioned with heavy fines and or suspension. Respect for the game and its fans should always be paramount and are mandatory concomitants of greatness; they are not mutually exclusive! My preference would have been NOT to enjoy his heroics in that game, rather than have him perform miracles in the context of a situation where this cloud was hanging over his head.
If I missed anything in this matter, or my information is in anyway inaccurate, then it would be appreciated if the solid facts can be publicized. I would be the first to withdraw these comments and apologize for nailing my favorite player for what came across as unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of one of the greatest players of his time.
CHARLES A RAMDAS
=========================
Dangerous food situation
WE are saying that the food situation here is very critical without even looking at what is happening in other countries which are very hard hit by the same problem. I saw in the Chronicle of yesterday April, 18, that the situation is much worse in Trinidad and Tobago.
It looks as if the people in that CARICOM country are finding it very difficult to make ends meet, although they work for a lot of money. To my mind the situation there is going to explode soon if the government of that country does not implement measures to bring about some ease to the rising cost of living.
People are threatening Supermarket and shop owners because of shortages and high prices. While the people vent their anger on these business people, the restaurant owners are calling on the government to issue them with firearms.
The situation there is frightening. I know not only Trinidad, but also other CARICOM countries are facing severe food shortages and high prices. Some people are also resorting to looting food trucks in order to get food supplies.
We in Guyana are not so bad off after all. The government here is making moves to make sure that we get enough of the basic commodities at reasonable prices.
Government ministers are going all over the country, holding meetings with the various communities to discuss the food situation and food prices.
The government is also asking the people to share their advice in an attempt to help in the situation, and it seems as if the exercise is not doing too badly. The government has already taken certain steps to make sure that there is enough rice in Guyana for the people at reasonable prices.
Apart from that we have a lot of vegetables and ground provisions and fish. This puts us in a better situation that our brothers and sisters in other countries in the region.
I hope the situation in the region concerning food will improve soon.
ROHIT SINGH
======================
Kissoon lacks decorum
IN any society, particularly in the media, some level of decorum should be kept.
The “Kaieteur News” so called columnist, Mr. Fredrick Kissoon lacks this completely. I often wonder if he can appreciate what it means to be decent. It appears that he lacks morality. He is totally amoral.
His columns are mainly personal abuse on those that criticize him, or disagree with his positions.
Let me say from an intellectual point of view, Kissoon is a pygmy to most, if not all the persons he attacks. When persons like Walter Persaud or Randy Persaud etc. write one gets the impression that they are people with depth. Their letters and articles make far greater contributions to the people’s understanding of issues than Kissoon’s.
Mr. Kissoon uses the K N to spew insults on persons he cannot argue with on subjects or a particular issue.
While he attacks persons who dare to write anything favourable about Guyana particularly those who reside abroad or have resided abroad, Mr. Kissoon is either mum or praises person of similar status but who attacks the government.
Kissoon often writes about his contribution to the struggle in Guyana to restore democracy. Indeed most of what he writes about that period is distorted and really turning events on their heads. As for his contribution at most he was a spectator and that’s the truth. His contribution pales in the light of persons like Ricky Singh, not to mention Rohee.
ROBERT CONSTANCE
