Corruption and crime are choking the economic life out of Guyana

Dear Editor,
Since the November 2011 general elections, the minority government has done nothing to help lift Guyana out of its economic predicament. For years, red tape, corruption, bribery and crime have been choking the economic life out of the country.
Corruption has become so widespread that the U.S. Ambassador Brent Hardt has said “There are companies that we continue to prosecute in the US. Other countries do as well. That is where the focus has to be here in Guyana… to look at how it investigates and prosecutes corruption. Will we see a high level official prosecuted for corruption? And if not, maybe you need to ask yourselves whether you need to strengthen institutions to get to that point where you can pursue a corruption investigation.”
The PPP is not only in denial, but it appears as though they have given their friends and supporters the green light “to tek whatever they want.”
We are convinced that the regime must start with a renewed approach to restructure the organs of the government to achieve economic growth and create jobs. The old non-productive model will not reduce crime or take Guyana out of its economic quagmire.
In order for this to happen, the government must embark on a robust economic programme that includes tax reform and the creation of jobs. It must take drastic action to end corruption, reduce crime, as well as halt marginalization.
Every country that is looking to move ahead has accepted that it is just not possible to make ends meet and achieve growth by a never-ending process of high crime rate, discrimination, nepotism and imposing higher and higher taxes on the same people and the same organizations. These are some of the most debilitating obstacles to the growth of Guyana’s economy.
When businesses are doing well, the Government collects far more taxes and when the government prosecutes those who are corrupt, there will be more money in the treasury to lower VAT and help those feeling its effects. Right now, business is not doing well in Guyana and the PPP has not prosecuted anyone for corruption.  Instead, the economic and financial interests of their relatives and wealthy friends are promoted.
In terms of development, the alternative has always been to borrow more money and thereby compound the existing problem. That is the story, where our debt is now over 75 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product. Even the schoolchildren of Guyana know that the borrowing of money at this frenetic and suicidal pace will result in an everlasting debt that would lead to bankruptcy.
Borrowing is a scourge. There was a time when the ability to attract loans was glamourized and construed as a great achievement on the part of a Government. But there is nothing heroic about the PPP borrowing money and placing it in the hands of those who usurp the authority vested in them to negotiate contracts on behalf of the people.
A smart government will make creative deals through creative policies that investors, local and overseas, cannot refuse. Guyana, with its vast natural resources, starting with its people and natural beauty, begins with an advantage.
There are patriotic and nationalistic Guyanese investors who will strive to spend their last penny to develop businesses locally, but they need help against the high crime rate and corruption, which is enabling those in authority to seek huge kick-backs from them. If the PPP has any decency and morality it will put an end to such gross misconduct. The time is now to capitalize on anything that it can leverage for economic growth to make life better for the people.
One of the assets that the PPP does not seem to recognize and use to the nation’s advantage is the fact that Guyanese are extremely ambitious and willing to work hard, if given the opportunity to do so. The stories of Guyanese successes achieved after migration are many.
The fact is, the government itself has made it extremely difficult to start a business due to the bureaucratic red tape, bribery and the runaround after the bribery. The convoluted bureaucracy one has to endure just to clear goods from the wharf will frustrate even the most optimistic professional. It gets worse if he or she wants to start exporting which, ironically, is what Guyana so desperately needs. There are too many agencies, red tape-madness and bribery to encounter around every corner.
It pains us to see that our CARICOM neighbours, some without resources, human or natural, as we have, are making so much out of so little. The PPP cabal is so bent on using the country’s resources for their own benefit and for their wealthy friends, that they have somehow lost the drive to get things done. Their innovative drive is to become richer with the taxpayers’ money. Things that should be simple, like constructing a building, have become complex under this wayward, reckless and uncaring regime. We have a Government that does not mean well or care about the country and its citizens.
We live for the day when the campaign promises become hardcore reality.

Dr. Asquith Rose and Chandra Deollal, Esq.