THE MEMORIES of the PNC dictatorship is still a nightmare. The oppression, discrimination, insecurity, kick-down door bandits and killing of ministers and those who were threats to the PNC. Guyana was the poorest country in the Caribbean with lack of foreign investment, rampant poverty and lack of economic development. The government had to subsidise millions to the Linden PNC strong hold for water and electricity. Even though the country was in deep recession, truckloads of essential items, mainly rice and sugar were sent to Linden. The roads, schools, bridges and hospital were beyond repair. The daily blackouts and no money to buy fuel. Guyana was a suitcase economy. People such as Mr. Glenn Lall used to bring shoes with suitcases and sell at Stabroek market. Economic growth was dead and many businessmen such Mr. Badal and Mr. Iman Bacchus had to close. Mr. Sharma had a small refrigeration repair business in his garage. Today, these businessmen have acquired so much wealth that they now suffer from amnesia. I could remember the horror of National Service. It was compulsory so as to deprive Indo-Guyanese tertiary education and other government jobs. My sister and niece were raped by officers. Females had to surrender for a loaf of bread. The PNC had employment offices in all the regions of Guyana to assist their supporters to fill positions in all the ministries. No jobs with loss of hope, like Mr. Freddie Kisson, myself and thousands of Guyanese had to migrate.

I lived in the U.S.A and travelled to many countries and the memories of the days under the PNC kept reminding me that such a beautiful country as ours, with so much natural resources was crippled by the PNC.
Since 1992 I have been visiting Guyana with friends and relatives and the transformation has been unbelievable. The country has been making progressive economic growth when all over the world people are suffering and recession is taking place.
The life-style of Guyanese has improved. The many fast food outlets are filled with customers. Many Guyanese can now afford to own a house. The roads are congested with vehicles because every Guyanese can afford a vehicle and 50% own one or more .The trip under the PNC that would take six hours with damage to your vehicle, now takes one hour and you can travel to any part of the country via road. Visitors are astonished to see, from kindergarten to pensioner, one can afford a cell phone. The pensioners are given free water, electricity and computer. This doesn’t happen even in USA and Canada, where everybody has to work and nothing is free.
I feel very proud to know that Guyanese students are doing better than those in the Caribbean. No more is a party card a pre-requisite to get a scholarship, entry to UG and other institutions. Students now have many options to achieve higher education. The Government has set up the learning channel, built many technical, secondary and primary schools to enable everyone to have free access to education.
Guyanese are returning home in thousands and no more those going on holiday want to stay away. Recently, I visited the Canadian Embassy and was amazed that Guyanese are no more anxious to migrate .
Remigrants and those visiting are stunned by the rapid development in Georgetown and in the rural areas. The beautiful five and six storey buildings, which are the best in the Caribbean. Businessmen like Mr. Badal claimed no economic progress but yet wants to buy Marriot for eight million US dollars.
How can the PNC change? These are the same people who contributed, executed and facilitated the PNC to carry out all the atrocities against Guyanese. Look at the campaign. AFC members are on the platform like a pack of brainless wolves, while the PNC members are hiding from the shame of the past.
Those who cannot see and comprehend the transformation in Guyana should ask their relatives and visitors to make the comparison.
JOEL PERSAUD