Stop playing politics with the lives of Berbicians

DEAR EDITOR,
Prior to the return of Democracy to Guyana in 1992, we in Berbice played a major part in helping to make Guyana a democratic country for all Guyanese.  Whereby we can live and work together as one people, one nation and one destiny.  The aim of bringing democracy, according to the PPP\C and the great Dr. Cheddi Jagan, was to have a free and open process whereby electorates can support any political party of their choice without being marginalized in society by the present day government.

Berbicians welcomed that initiative with open hearts and threw their support behind the PPP\C, and most of all behind the strong leadership of the great Dr. Cheddi Jagan.  Dr. Jagan was always said to be fighting for the working class of this country and to create a better Guyana for all without playing politics with the lives of our people. And we all know that Dr. Jagan was welcome in every community in Guyana no matter their race, religion, culture, sex, status, etc.  He was indeed the father of the nation.
After the PPP\C came into power due to free and fair elections, we saw lots being done to put Guyana on the World map by Dr. Jagan.  During his tenure in office as President of this country we saw development coming at a rapid pace in all sectors of Guyana and also he paved the way for investors to feel comfortable in investing in Guyana.  He was a man of the people by fighting for the cause and most of all he was a leader who never used politics to gain the hearts of people but used issues of concern to win hearts into politics.
That is why I can safely say that in the years Dr. Jagan was in office as President he was never fingered in any corruption cases or found to be corruptible.

Since the death of this great leader Berbicians have had the opposite to deal with.  We had the politics that Dr. Jagan would have never used to win votes.  He would have never used the cuss down politics that we have since seen being used by members of the PPP\C.  This type of behaviour Dr. Jagan would have never tolerated, and most of all, some of those presently serving in high ranking positions would have never had the chance to.
Since Bharrat Jagdeo took office we have seen more of the unimaginable behavior in politics and the worst for Guyana.  Many will argue that he has done better than the rest, but let’s look deep as to where we are today because of him.  Many times we fail to understand what this man has done to this land of ours.
Every single day we the Berbicians are being fed with misinformation from the PPP\C members and we are bugged with programmes of untruth on NCN Channel 15 in Berbice. We in Berbice are educated people we cannot be used anymore.

If the PPP\C is so concerned about the lives and welfare of Berbicians since the death of Dr. Jagan, they would have made Berbice a better place for all.  I will like to ask the PPP\C administration a few questions.
How many new investors have invested in Berbice since 1997? How many jobs were created? (And please don’t talk of sugar and rice employees).  How much was spent on developing our young people? What was done to develop the lives of the poor, working class? Where is the free education that we used to have? Where is the better representation for the working class? How many qualified and experience Berbicians (living in Berbice) find a top job with this government\administration, especially if they belong to a different political party? Where are the better recreational facilities for our people? Why is it that our youths who just graduated from UGBC/TI/Secondary School or some institution have to migrate to other regions to find jobs? And I can go on, but let this corrupted PPP\C government answer us in the correct manner.

We are fortunate to have people like the Nand Persaud family, who operate a wide range of businesses that help to create thousands of jobs for Berbicians, young and old.
Hundreds of youths comes out of Secondary school and cannot find a proper job suitable to their qualifications, and those that find favours in getting a job, work with the regional administration or government agencies without a vacancy being published or existing.  Take a clear look at the regional offices in both regions 5 and 6, who are the ones employed in various capacities?  This is the type of caring PPP\C government we have had to deal with since the death of Dr. Jagan – favourites for favourites.

We can clearly see that this present PPP\C administration is using the people of Berbice as their political football. Berbicians need to sit, relax and think as to where we are heading
Let’s listen to our inner self and think as to what will happen to us, our children and grandchildren if we don’t act now.  Let’s stop being used and listen to the policies that will work for Guyana and then make our choice.  We must remember that Dr. Jagan is no more and the PPP\C is no longer using the tools of truth and accountability as Dr. Jagan would have done in his years in the PPP\C.  All that Dr. Jagan worked and struggled for has gone. This PPP\C we are seeing today is for the rich getting richer and poor being made poorer.  Take a look at the mansions and pool houses that the PPP\C top brass are living in and then take a look at our brothers and sisters living at Blairmont No.4, just before you enter the new scheme, and look at the others in various parts in Berbice.

We must stand up for our rights and not allow our struggle to be in vain.  At the 2011 elections Berbicians made a right choice and supported the AFC.  After we rewrote the history books of this country, by voting in a third party and creating a minority government, we saw corruption being highlighted from top to bottom of this PPP\C administration and that left us in a shock as to where the monies have gone.  We saw the walking out of Khemraj Ramjattan, Moses Nagamootoo and Ralph Ramkarran from the corrupted PPP/C. Who will be next?
Let’s see ourselves as the makers of tomorrow, the new day that will bring us a new Guyana for all, where there will be accountability and transparency with equal opportunities. We in Berbice can make that change by being thinkers for ourselves.  We are educated enough to do so and not to be used. Let the struggle continue.
Abel Seetaram
Chairman
AFC RMC Reg. 5