Dear Editor,
LIKE many sectors in this country that were infiltrated and some strategically designed to facilitate this action, so must it be understood about the Private Sector Commission. This body claims to represent the business community of this country and holds a legitimate place at the discussion table regarding, especially, the economic affairs of the country regardless of the governing political party.

However, Mr. Editor, it has become very clear that the PSC is not impartial or independent. For some time now this body has been showing its true colours. They were among the lot preaching doom and gloom of Guyana’s economy, knowing very well the drug and money laundering atmosphere(that) business was being conducted in. The PSC almost condemned every business action taken by the government as they sort to clean up and regularize certain systems and mechanisms that were used to benefit some more than others.
They cried about the taxes, they cried about tighter measures and later declared their “lack” of confidence in the government because they said the economy was declining. These attacks came from the PSC knowing that Guyana was being purged of its fully functioning parallel economy which was fueled by drug-running, money laundering, political and ethnic affiliations, lots of bribery and other corrupt practices.

Mr. Editor, this is the same PSC that flourished during that dark period. This is the same PSC that holds a majority of rich Indian businessmen who came to power and riches with the express assistance of the then PPP administration. Mr. Editor, this is the same PSC with its own political agenda and political alliance.  It is not surprising therefore that when the PSC spoke of the chaos that occurred in Parliament earlier this week, not once did they reprimand the PPP MP for handling the Speaker of the House and deliberately defying his orders to take his seat after his presentation time was over. Not once did the PSC reprimand the PPP MPs for escalating the situation by forming a human shield and preventing law enforcement personnel from removing the MP. The PSC also said nothing regarding the clear assault on the police, specifically by Harry Gill and other male MPs, some of whom proceeded to scream and yell RAPE by the police in Guyana’s Parliament.
It appears to be very true when the government said that the PSC in this time is only prepared to issue “political statements” criticizing them and their management of the economy. Of course they would, they are no longer making easy money. The government is trying to provide a better climate for business and is calling on them to be innovative, to help create jobs and to pull their weight.

It’s our view, Mr. Editor, that a new and genuine body needs to come forth to really represent Guyana’s business community. It is a clique at the PSC; the same faces rotating with the same agenda. Moreover Mr Editor, the PSC is NOT the representative or voice of most, especially the vast majority of small businesses; it represents those chosen and made wealthy by the PPP.

Nazeema Mohamed
Peter Joseph
Roy Mason
Naresh Singh