Mr. KISSOON continues to write that Afro-Guyanese in Guyana are being discriminated against in the KN edition of August 02, 2010. Yet he failed to produce one instance where this has happened. He either lives in a fantasy land or is just plain stupid. He just does not know about the ethnic composition of Guyana. He stated the other half of the population is Afro-Guyanese. He continues to incite hatred and feels that he is a champion of the Afro-Guyanese population. The PNCR or no other political parties that represent the majority of Afro-Guyanese have not taken this stand. Why? Because they know fully well that Afro-Guyanese are now better off than when the PNC was in office. They also know the following:
The Guyana Police Force and GDF has a composition of over 72 % Afro-Guyanese
The Public Service has a composition of over 68 % Afro-Guyanese.
The Fire Service has a composition of over 88 % Afro-Guyanese.
The governmental hospitals have over 80 % Afro Guyanese in its employment.
When one arrives in Guyana, the majority of Custom and Immigration officers are Afro-Guyanese so are all of the government offices throughout the country.
We all know the ethnic composition of Guyana.
So how come can one say that Afro-Guyanese are being discriminated against?
All of these employees are paid on time and cannot complain that their cheques or salaries have been delayed, unlike during the PNC time.
There have been numerous increases in salaries and promotions. They now enjoy a high standard of living which they never experienced in the 28 years of PNC rule. They are proud owners of motor cars, trucks, vehicles, and houses and can adequately provide for their children.
New health centres, lodges, bridges, irrigation systems, roads, access to water, availability of electricity, have been built and or installed in predominately Afro-Guyanese areas. In predominately Afro-Guyanese communities, like Nurney, Manchester, Kildonan on the Corentyne, the PPP government replaced the old dilapidated Lodge and community centres with beautiful buildings. Schools were repaired that have fallen apart. Health centres were refurbished and are now manned with medics. This scenario can be seen from one end of the country to the other. While East Indian areas are still awaiting construction of community centres in places like Bush Lot, Black Bush, Alness, No. 48 Village and others. The drainage at Port Mourant is in an utter state of disrepair but the East Indians there do not complain. Indians in Guyana do not generally complain about the conditions in which they live in, but they try to improve their standard of living by protecting their environment and make their lives better. They plant their little patches and sell their products. They are diligent and resourceful, even if they have to eat dhall and rice. They live by the principle of contentment.
Emancipation Day celebration is being observed with pomp and glory as never before in the times of PNC. Monetary grants have been given to many communities and both East Indians and Afro-Guyanese celebrate this day, just like how we celebrate Caribana day here in Toronto, with music, dance, songs and beautiful costumes.
Emancipation Day is a special day for all Guyanese. I remembered my youthful days in Guyana when there was no celebration and that was during the PNC rule, exception to the horse racing at Port Mourant on August Monday.
The Government of Guyana has issued new 70,000 lots, of which 54 % were allocated to Afro-Guyanese.
More Afro-Guyanese has been awarded scholarships to study abroad than East Indians.
The Government of Guyana has an equitable composition of Afro-Guyanese Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, High Government officials, Judges and Magistrates. The Prime Minister is Mr. Sam Hinds and I do not have to tell you what ethnicity he is.
When one travels from one end of Guyana to the other, one finds well maintained painted houses, most now with indoor plumbing, electricity, some with air conditioning and some with a spanking clean car parked under. Thousands are now owned by afro-Guyanese. During the PNC time one could have easily pin pointed the areas where Afro-Guyanese lived as their place of residence were mostly unkempt an in a state of disrepair.
The progress that has been made in Guyana during the last 18 years surpassed that of the other Caribbean countries. Guyana is once again the “bread basket” of the Caribbean. It produces enough fruits, vegetables, rice and sugar to export to other Caribbean countries.
We now have schools that produce outstanding students, not only in Guyana but they top the Caribbean. These are all because of the Guyana government astute education policies. New Schools have been built and or renovated. State of the art equipment has been installed. Teachers can teach in a safe environment. The government has allocated funds to pay for school uniforms and to provide meals and transportation for many.
Pensioners are paid on time and their allowances have been increased steadily.
New water mains and pumps are implemented on a constant basis.
I can go on and on to name the achievements of this current government.
Mr. Kissoon wrote: “African Guyanese fought against an overt African dominated administration in the seventies and eighties that practiced ethnic bias against East Indians.” And this is the same situation in Guyana now. Afro-Guyanese still dominate the administration, security, education, service industries etc. So what point are you now trying to make about discrimination against Afro-Guyanse, Mr. Kissoon? A fair thinking Afro-Guyanese will not harbour and concur with your reasoning. You are so ridiculous when you mentioned “The blind and the dead can see this in today’s Guyana.”
To some they will continue to be dissatisfied.
Toronto, Canada