I HAVE observed in recent weeks several articles by one Janette Bulkan and Sasenarine Singh attacking the Low Carbon Development Strategy, President Jagdeo and the Government of Guyana. What concerns me is that these persons have chosen to not be constructive in their criticisms, but rather to try to look for issues to pull down the Strategy and Government’s efforts in trying to position Guyana to help the world to address this issue of climate change.

I have been following the media reports, and the consultations and general feedback on the Strategy, and most, if not all, persons are supportive of what President Jagdeo is trying to do. What is so wrong with trying to protect Guyana’s forests and receive payments for it? What is so wrong about using these payments to help develop our country? Not knowing all the details, I am sure there are lots of things that will need to be worked out, but let’s give it a try. Everyone I have spoken to supports it, and from what I hear, even internationally, there is lots of interest and support for what Guyana is trying to do.

It upsets me when these persons, who, rather than give any positive suggestions of helping the President and our country in such a noble initiative, choose to sit at the side and snipe and criticize.

For the benefit of our readers, I ask: What suggestions do you, Janette Bulkan, and you Sasenarine Singh have to helping to improve the Strategy?

Perhaps there is a deeper reason to the sniping?

Perhaps if Sasenarine Singh’s application for a Ministerial position after the 2006 application was considered, maybe he won’t be so bitter against the Government and the President. C’mon Sase, move on, because you din’t get a ‘Minista wuk’ you can’t help your country?

Perhaps Ms. Bulkan does not want to see our forests protected and maintained for climate change, for fear it would mean her own family’s interest in the logging industry would be compromised? Ms. Bulkan, you don’t have to worry, as I read in the Strategy that forestry and mining activities will be allowed to continue, once there is compliance with the forestry laws. However, certain practices will not be tolerated. For example, trying to buy logs from the Amerindians and exploiting them with prices, or importing logs across the border, or being ‘landlords’ over Guyana’s forest and allocate to the same Asian companies.

The more I reflect on these issues, the more I am beginning to understand the views of Ms. Bulkan and her fears of what the Strategy might bring to some.

Ms. Bulkan, if you are so concerned and interested in what Guyana is doing, why don’t you volunteer to help our country rather than snipe and gripe, using the media. Let’s see how patriotic you both are.