Dear Editor,

I SEEK clarity on the bickering that is ongoing about the rental of a Camp Street building by the University of Guyana for additional education services. Based on a Stabroek News article (April 23) “UG faces $6M per month rent under proposed lease for Camp and Lamaha Streets building,” the University’s Council is at odds with the Vice-Chancellor’s proposal and says the cost is too high.

While I too think $6M a month seems hefty for a State ran institution, the article also said that the UG will be able to earn its own money from the rental of various spaces, and that two notable entities, the health ministry and an international bank are already lined up. Apart from the UG-owned business school SEBI, which I personally am excited about. The article also said that the Vice-Chancellor proposed to the Council all the services to be offered, the ways in which the rental will be sustained and the financial gain to be attained.

Yet the only rebuttal from the UG council is that only 60 students will be facilitated, it doesn’t seem sensible and that the university should build its own structure. I did read from the article however, that it is the university’s intention to ultimately have its own building, while the VC is proposing the rental, from where funds could possibly be gained toward the construction of the school’s new Georgetown location.

After reading the article, I am still trying to understand the resistance. It seems like every time national agencies/entities and its services need to take a step forward there is hesitation and rejection. And usually, it’s from the same people who’ve been around so long; influencing and denying, that they can’t adapt or even tolerate change. I’ve read many articles about UG and it is usually controversial; someone resisting someone or someone against someone, while the school continues to face mountains of issues.

When the Finance Minister made statements recently that the nation’s current crop of investors are not risk takers, he should have generalised it because that is the current situation in Guyana where everyone wants to claim growth and development without claiming the hard work and risks that are associated. I do hope that UG can work out this issue soon because I look forward to attending their business school in Georgetown, and I look forward to a new vision from the country’s premier educational institution.
Regards
Justice for Guyana
Local observers and commentators