Dear Editor, When the Finance Minister in his 2017 Budget presentation announced that electricity and water bills will attract 14 per cent value-added tax (VAT) on the consumption of more than G$10,000 and G$1500, respectively, from the first dollar, all jaws, rich, poor and the in-between, dropped. It came as a bombshell. It was an unexpected tax, taking into consideration the current government’s much-touted talk of improving the quality of life of all Guyanese. How could the quality of life improve when the two most basic necessities of any home;…
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NAPS to target youths in HIV/AIDS testing drive
The National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) is re-introducing its national days of testing for HIV/AIDS, ahead of World Aids Day, which will be observed on December 1. This exercise commenced on Wednesday and will run until Sunday at all 62 fixed voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) sites, as well as the 17 temporary booths countrywide. The initiative, which is being held under the theme “Test and start a new life for HIV Prevention”, is to encourage the Guyanese population to go out and get tested. However, National VCT Coordinator attached…
Read MoreFighting domestic violence together
Dear Editor, The tragedy of domestic violence in our community is often examined in the media. It seems all the more heartbreaking when it occurs at our very doorsteps, leaving the community asking how such a thing can happen. Though it may be a relief to name a person or agency as responsible, to do so vastly oversimplifies the complex reasons why persons continue to suffer abuse. Even as the society grapples with the reality and the responsible agencies struggle to meet increasing needs with ever dwindling resources, persons, especially…
Read MoreIs history repeating itself?
Dear Editor, The Government, in the height of a crime wave, is speaking about too many legal guns being around. It seems that someone misled the President into saying that some legal gun owners rent their weapons to criminals. The way it was put, one gets the impression that the President believes that this is a widespread practice. However, no proof, no examples were offered to substantiate that claim. If the President had made that statement in Parliament, he might have been asked by the Speaker to leave the chambers…
Read MoreSo many university graduates, too few jobs
Dear Editor, I read in most of the daily newspapers that the University of Guyana has once again produced over a thousand graduates for 2016 – 1628 to be exact. While this is indeed commendable, I was struck by one thought while reading; how many of these holders of degrees, diplomas and certificates will find meaningful employment where they will be able to utilise their new found academic prowess? I am sure many others are thinking the same thing. Many will find themselves forced into “temporary” occupations in bars, stores…
Read MoreTrump was not expatriate Guyanese American choice for President!
Dear Editor, Hillary Clinton was projected by all and sundry to be the overwhelming favourite to win the Presidential election. She was the popular choice amongst immigrant communities, not least in West Indians and Guyanese, all across America-especially here in the largest concentration of expatriates-“Little Guyana” or Richmond Hill and environs. Clinton’s defeat surely was not due to money, effort and voter outreach, because she outspent Trump and received more votes nationally than him. So how come Donald Trump won, precipitating one of the most stunning upsets in history and…
Read MoreHinds did speak out against Cabinet meetings being held at Army headquarters
Dear Editor I refer to a letter that appeared in another section of the media on November 4 written by a “Concerned Citizen” which criticised the government’s decision to hold Cabinet meetings at the GDF headquarters. The concerned citizen asked “where are the voices of Dr David Hinds and Freddy Kissoon”—an obvious inference that we have been silent on the issue. On so many occasions I have heard that line—where was Hinds when so and so happened or why didn’t Hinds speak up when so and so was happening? The…
Read MoreAre our leaders running out of options to deal with the crime situation?
Dear Editor, Serious crime continues to wreck Guyanese families daily and lawmakers seem to be out of options for addressing it. Lawmakers have not publicly acknowledged that crime has spiraled out of control, but recent announcements suggest that it has earned their attention. However, proposed interventions by the Government are likely to worsen serious crimes instead of reducing it. Also, questions about the exact nature of the proposed interventions need to be clarified. Question 1. Do the Police know whether the murders originated from the guns of licensed firearm holders?…
Read MoreSugar industry performed well in 2015 due to hard work of the previous Govt
Dear Editor, The Chairman of Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Board of Directors, Dr Clive Thomas, in another section of the media on Sunday spoke about how well the industry performed in 2015. The entire Government body has been making statements about how good the second crop was. Dr Thomas mentioned that the punt dumper at Skeldon estate works very well. This is true since a lot of work was done on it. He also mentioned that new markets have been found in Italy for Guyana’s sugar. Well, in my view,…
Read MoreThe shoe is now on the other foot
Dear Editor, The fresh outburst by the Mayor of Georgetown at the recent Statutory Meeting of Council where she criticised the Audit Office of Guyana and the Ministry of Communities, fundamentally says two things: First, that she is not happy, comfortable or welcoming to any type of audit being carried out at City Hall, which she knows can and will reveal corruption, fraud, and improprieties which will make all other institutions in Guyana look like a kindergarten class compared to City Hall’s University of Sleaze, something that every citizen of…
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