Dear editor,

AS the saying goes, “silence is golden.” Many in the Guyanese society chose to remain silent with guilty consciences during the election period and post- election period, while many were very vocal and more are now coming out of their shells, directly and indirectly. It is “food for thought” and Guyana is now becoming more cognisant of the true nature of the silent, dormant, prominent and eminent ones. Explanations, excuses and expressions are now exposing explicit exuberance in different shades of earnestness by various eminence, some effortlessly and others effectively. As the internal wrangling continues between APNU and AFC to tear them further apart, the WPA is also flabbergasted with riddles and mysteries.

The bottom line is that the PNCR continues to lose its stripes and strides and strives to survive a struggle of supremacy and support. The other coalition parties are toothless and meaningless. The Coalition’s key players are intricately involved in election rigging and fraud, facing questions and charges; corruption charges; a fight for regional placements; power struggles; playing the blame game and contradictions and flexing of the muscle. Definitely, the APNU+AFC will no longer see “eyeball to eyeball.” Certainly, sooner, rather than later, accepting that “enough is enough,” many who can no longer digest anymore, will spill their stomachs  remorsefully declaring, “who vex vex.” One can sense a degree of alacrity as the air is charged with regrets and a consciousness for a need to confess. Good always triumphs over evil and the truth cannot remain hidden forever behind a bundle of lies. The successful presentation of a very potent and diversified budget by the young PPP/C, not only speaks volumes but also, it is delivering the goods from an election campaign that was founded on promises and hopes and on a premise of reversing the discriminative wrongdoings of the APNU+AFC. As more Guyanese are awakening from a slumber that saw them dazed from APNU+AFC’s hypocrisy and hypnotism, they are openly embracing President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C government, ready and willing to accept this regime to catapult Guyana towards its next developmental stage.

American Marine Inc. is the latest company to come on board with honest integrity. They have joined three other predecessors and have returned 20 acres of prime Ogle lands which were controversially and illegally vested to them by the caretaker government. They should be applauded for their genuine effort to honour transparency and refusing the illegitimate transaction by the APNU+AFC. How early will the remainder join this band of nobility? Attorney General Mr. Anil Nandlall had legal reasons to walk the steps of U.S. Secretary of State when he issued warnings of severe sanctions for any illegal strike by frontline health workers who are classified as essential workers. The Guyana Public Service Union has eventually also seen the light and has sensibly and caringly called off the threat to authorise strike action by nurses over risk allowances. The Minister of Health and all Guyanese are proud of this decision and commend Mr. Patrick Yarde and the nurses for this sensible decision, especially when COVID-19 is attacking left, right and centre, regardless of people, personalities, professions, prominence or place. Political agitators are certainly winking the wrong eye. The resignation of Mr. David Patterson as General Secretary from the AFC party raises eyebrows and leaves many curious, unanswered questions. It takes time, but through a slow, gradual process, Guyanese cannot belie themselves. Both the Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie and the Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess are cognisant of potential threats perceived as a violent country-wide disruption by destabilisers to usurp peace. Social commentators have allegedly started to question the professionalism and integrity of the officers. In response to these agitators, a release from The Joint Services explicitly warned that, “The Heads of the Joint Services wish to go on record to state that they are certainly not intrigued by the releases referred to and thus assure all Guyanese that they will always stand firm in the protection of the law and in the execution of their duties in keeping with their constitutional responsibilities.” This is indeed a contrast from the days of yore and it breathes a new freshness that is promising, reassuring and fulfilling.

The characteristics of former president David Granger and President Irfaan Ali make a complete difference, in as much as the competence of former Attorney General Basil Williams and current Attorney General Anil Nandlall does. Their principles, policies and practices separate the men from the boys. As witnessed from the first and last US Vice-Presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence, in contrast, the performance of Donald Trump and Joe Biden was a debacle! Mike Pence came in cool, calm and collective. During the show, he was cold, callous and cynical. Afterwards, he left contrived, composed and comfortable. On the other-hand, Kamala Harris entered energetic, experienced and expressive. She transgressed and became explosive, effective and earnest. As she exited, she remained elegant, erudite and efficacious. It was entertainment with civility and vivacity, compounded with perspicacity and audacity, watched by some 50 million viewers. Take note, parliamentarians, there is so much to grasp and learn.

Respectfully,
Jai Lall