Dear Editor, In the December 4th edition of Guyana Times, it has been reported that City Hall is lamenting the lack of interest in the amnesty offer as it urges defaulting taxpayers to honour their obligations. In Guyana, these types of situations are puzzling. Editor, often times, when such is the response of citizens to any measure that encourages them to pay without fear of sanctions, the people at the helm of leadership must try to understand why this seeming lack of interest occurs. In any society, citizens are reactive…
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Skeldon factory will not become a white elephant
Dear Editor, Reference is made to a letter, “GuySuCo has been in a ‘free fall’ with the PPP/C govt in full control”, carried in the Stabroek News of 6th December. Now, here is another missive that seeks to charge the PPP/C government for the challenges that the entity is currently facing. No fair-minded, objective-thinking Guyanese can even suggest, much less accuse, the PPP/C administration of causing a “free fall” with GuySuCo. This industry, which had experienced low productivity during the era of the PNC administration, has received a continuous flow…
Read MoreGuyana’s LCDS was based on widespread national consultations
Dear Editor, The attempt by the Rainforest Foundation UK to discredit the low carbon development programmes in train by Guyana and other countries with tropical forests fits a pattern. It is also not surprising that the Kaieteur News has given prominence to the report by the group, which seeks to shoot down the advice from international consultants McKinsey & Company to governments of forested nations. A question that immediately comes to mind is how can Rainforest Foundation UK claim to be representing the best interests of countries like Guyana in…
Read MoreVoids in youths’ lives must be filled
Dear Editor, The story about the two teens from Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara who committed suicide after their parents objected to their marriage is heartbreaking. From the headlines alone, readers can infer a lot about the people involved in this story. Here are two young people who evidently did not go very far in school, and so gained simple employment and decided that, at their age, they are ready for the next step – marriage. Their parents oppose it, and the youths, in their naivety and depth of feeling for…
Read MoreAll men should willingly sign that declaration when it reaches them
Dear Editor, I read in the newspapers, a few days ago, that men and boys of Skeldon signed the ‘Skeldon Declaration’ which promotes non-violent behaviour in relationships and in the homes. Scores of men took a pledge not to abuse women and children, and committed to working with other men in their communities in this regard. The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and its partners must be commended for spearheading this initiative, which, according to reports, will be taken to other communities across Guyana. With an increase in…
Read MoreWho is to blame for the job- hunting fatigue of graduates?
Dear Editor, We have witnessed another convocation ceremony of the University of Guyana. In fact, about 1,400 students graduated from UG during its 44th annual graduation ceremony, which was hosted at the Turkeyen campus last Saturday. Each year, UG churns out large numbers of graduates; and these graduates, with a sense of pride and accomplishment because of what they have achieved, approach the job market, only to be disappointed by the unavailability of jobs that adequately compensate their level of educational achievement. But just who is to blame for the…
Read MoreIssues pertaining to Dr Vishwamintra Persaud are complex and difficult
Dear Editor, The issues pertaining to Dr Vishwamintra Persaud are already sufficiently complex and difficult. As we navigate to find a resolution, it is incumbent on us to stay close to the facts and seek to keep the discourse intelligent and civilised. Unfortunately, any attempt to maintain objectivity and to call for a balanced debate is fraught with danger in this season of intolerance and pronouncements of “zero tolerance”. Self-righteous screaming and finger pointing seems to have the ascendency over balanced examination and action. In deliberating on crime, punishment and…
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