A concerted effort needed to end this history of bad governance

Dear Editor, Once upon a time there were countries with names as Nyasaland, Gold Coast, Rhodesia, Tanganyika, and others with familiar names of Nigeria and Kenya. Embroiled in the struggles for self-determination in Africa. We, also was a colony then –British Guiana. I was much younger then. Full of hope as many others for our independence. And if your house was a house with a political activist – the father, it was demanded of the son of that house to show every person in the village where to and how to place the X on the ballot paper. It was the 1953 Adult Suffrage elections.The right to vote. Politics was in the air. No one could miss the excitement. We knew of Africa. We knew the names of their leaders. Teachers spoke of them in Primary schools. Across the Atlantic Ocean, there was Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and few other islands seeking self-determination as well. And British Guiana was there as well in the quest. Unlike Africa with its confrontations, the Caribbean choose a civil and ordered path to independence. My country chose the destructive path. It shook every pillar of our society. Threatened American Foreign interests. And the separation of the moderates and extremists resulted in the division of the society-racism. We need our country back. The upcoming election must be as the one of 1953.  A nation fired up to end all nonsense. It is our independence from those who pride themselves better than the citizens of this land. It is my wish to inspire you. It is my wish to motive you. It is my wish to congregate every person who opposes bad governance. It is my wish to convince the opposition parties to free their blocks of voters. Let the people choose their leaders for the much anticipated elections. In the words of Martin Luther King, “Free at last, free at last.” You would give this country back its purpose -one people, one nation with one destiny. We are communities with in a community. This must end. I read, “A young Amerindian woman was gang raped.” It appears, no one cared about her plight.  Bullied and threatened, she had to leave her livelihood. Where are those who govern and are paid to uphold the laws of the country?  There is no remorse. Entrenched evil ways and deeds.One can only turn to divine interventions. And Psalm 109adequately spells out. For APNU and AFC, soon you will be voting on the no-confidence motion set before you. It is imperative that you seriously consider your obligations to the citizens of Guyana –not personal. Do not be swayed from your duty. Pass the motion when the time is right for it. Your country is hurting too much to let this important milestone of our history to be swept under the rug. Your responsibility to the country as representatives in its parliament asks that you examine your conscience. Look around you, there is neglect and human suffering. You are also responsible for the least in our society. The aim is to have a government that cares about the alarming rate of suicides, intimidation of dissenting citizens and many more transgressions upon the nation. I would hope there is participation of the citizens while you deliberate. It is like a vigil. There should be quiet assembly of citizens outside the Parliament Building for you to know that they await your decision. It is their emancipation that you are considering. The same determination is needed to form a new government. This is not a job for the leaders of individual political parties. It is a concerted effort to end the history of bad governance. Velutha Kuttapen