Dear Editor,
GUYANA’S children returned to school and the nation started the week on a happy note from the Office of the Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh. His ministry released the 2022 mid-year report showing the country’s GDP grew by 36.4 per cent. On a sad note, Queen Elizabeth 11 passed away at the age of 96. Famous Guyanese agronomist, Dr. Oudho Homenauth and former broadcaster, Prince Maison, also passed away.
Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, helped cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony for the US$20M Guyana Training Centre of Excellence at Lusignan, Guyana’s first entity to train locals for the oil-and-gas sector.
Guyana continues its month-long extravagant activities to celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month. As NASA aborts its second bid to launch its new moon rocket, Serena Williams and Nadal lost with their racquets and bowed out at the US Open. The telecommunications sector is opening up some 1,500 jobs through the courtesy of Teleperformance and BPO.
The Vice-President announced that some 4,000 to 5,000 community roads are slated for remedial works over the next few years. Now, the African investors are happy with the PPP/C government, as Nigeria wants to do business with this government, joining other business entrepreneurs from China, India, Brazil and the Caribbean.
The CSEC and CAPE 2022 results are out. Anna Regina Multilateral students are top performers at the CSEC, while Queens College hugs the spotlight at CAPE.
Further, the 2022 census was launched this week. The night of the living dead will soon cease to be fiction and will soon become a reality. Shortly, we will know if those listed as dead are actually alive and those claiming to be alive are sadly not so. As you reflect on the Miss Amerindian Title, do stop by and spend a moment to reconsider the following quotes with a smile:
1) “Going where no one has ever gone before is never easy,” Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley remarked. The PPP/C government is taking Guyana on an unprecedented economic journey, facing all obstacles and impediments from opposing forces, daily.
2) “I have spoken to enough people in the last three years to know that this is now an act of political will and individual will,” PM Mottley continued. The PPP/C party and President Ali will not be deterred by suppressors and naysayers, and he is successfully achieving the aims and objectives as promised in the PPP/C party’s elections manifesto.
3) “You recall the land policy. Up to now we can’t figure [out] how much land they sold, to whom, we’re trying to recover this,” Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo stressed. Some say the former administration did not give out land to ordinary people who were struggling, but rather, to those who were politically connected.
4) “The APNU+AFC administration remained in office and instead of operating in a caretaker mode in accordance with the constitution, continued in a “business-as-normal” manner,” Attorney General Mr Anil Nandlall stated. The PNC is internationally known for its bullish and authoritative attitude. Disrespect, disobedience and disturbance are their trade marks.”
5) “When people post shoddy work being done on a road on their Facebook page, or send it to a government ministry, I’m happy. Many people think ‘oh, they’re criticizing the government’ [but] it means that our people are vigilant,” VP Dr. Jagdeo stressed. The PPP/C government is encouraging the public to be their eyes and ears and report all shoddy or shady transactions.
6) Professor Roopnarine asked a blunt question only to receive a grunt as an answer at the conference held by a few ambitious African Guyanese. He asked the inconvenient and uncomfortable question, “why is it that only when the PPP is in power that discussions like this surface?’ He was pointedly reminded that people like himself are unwelcome at those forums.
7) The young writer remarked: “Maybe it is time for the PPP/C government to take a firm stance against these organizations which secretly have a hidden agenda to cause Guyana more harm through these racist and divisive platforms.” So much for Cuffy 250, APNU and IDPADA-G!
8) “Tonight, I reassure every member of our indigenous community that we stand strongly with you in ensuring that our development path ….will include you,” President Ali promised the indigenous families. The PPP/C government is determined to undo the negligence of the former PNC administration by including all to share in the benefits from the country’s development, regardless of race, creed or geographic location.
9) Former US President Obama paid tribute to one of tennis greatest players, Serena Williams, as she walks away from the game. He tweeted: “Congratulations, Serena, for your heart, skill, intelligence, dedication and grace. Few athletes have inspired more people both in and beyond their sport.” During her reigning career, Serena has manufactured many magical, monumental and magnificent moments to mesmerize spectators.
10) Christopher Ram insisted: “I know for sure – I am saying this and I will stand by it – I know for sure in 2019 there was an agreement, a variation of the contract, a renegotiation of a provision of the contract by the Granger administration. Let them say that Ram is not telling the truth.” Guyana and Guyanese rights sold out for a second time by the PNC?
11) The senior one wrote: “With massive, gold, diamond, timber, marine and now oil and gas the population of less than a million souls… we should be the happiest and wealthiest people on earth.” Of course we [are] not, because, it was his party, the PNC, which destroyed Guyana and mismanaged the economy, leading to bankruptcy.
12) The aging one continues: “The scourge and the problem seem to be man-inflicted where for several generations our leaders failed to recognize that the six races could easily enjoy this surfeit of the creator’s bounty, if our leaders only overcome the pettiness and sit down like sensible human beings to craft a policy that we can take to our erstwhile masters as united people.” Sounds like a confession of a guilty conscience, full of remorse from a troubled past, coming to realization as the clock ticks and wanting to now make peace within himself.
13) The elder one concluded: “Brother beware.” He is aware of the fact that, many need to apologize, change their attitudes and become realistic, honest and accept the truth. The application of “beware brother” is knocking on many doors. Who will answer the call?
14) The waterfalls stated: “Guyanese are daily becoming wiser.” So true. Many Guyanese are waking up to realize that the propaganda blown by the PNC’s Pied Piper, no longer has its old effect. They are jumping ship and joining the bandwagon of President Ali’s gravy train.
15) Peep in the market and you will see and hear, “A package of insincere promises, false hopes and unrealistic expectations” is being openly sold cheaply by vendor Norton. At this “give away price,” no one at Bourda, Stabroek, La Penitence, Kitty, Vreed-en-Hoop, Parika, Leonora, Rosignol, New Amsterdam, Skeldon, Supenaam, Charity, Linden or Lethem, is buying.
16) Putin called the end of the Soviet Union: “The greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century.” Did he underestimate or oversighted India’s split to form a Pakistan?
17) Veteran liberal politician, Grigory Yavlinsky admitted: “These people came to Gorbachev to say Thank you Mr Gorbachev. You gave us a chance, but we lost this chance. For a leader who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1990 for the leading role he played in the radical changes in East-West relations,” and whom the world respected, he deserved a state funeral!
18) Putin denied Gorbachev his rights and privileges as an honorable Russian and did not attend the funeral claiming: “No space in his schedule.” Putin needs to be reminded of a famous proverb which says, “You lie in the bed you made.”
19) Uncle Freddy philosophized: “I have no hard feelings against anyone. We must learn to fight each other in the political arena and then sit down and acknowledge we are humans that must believe in the humanity of all of us and preserve a cordial attitude to each other.” The last general election in 2020 did open most Guyanese and foreigners’ eyes. But there are some whose eyes are opened but yet cannot see. Is 33 not the greater half of 65 and/or did the President not act correctly in the appointment of the Commissioner of Police? Guyanese need a break from Norton. Who vex, vex!
20) “Fear stalks the land,” asserted the fearless paper magnate. With Norton’s threat to GECOM Chairperson, he can conclude why safety and security from the PNC’s violence, surface once again to become problematic!
21) Arthur Deakin, Director of Energy Practice at AMI noted: “Essentially, government has laid the foundation for a prosperous business environment.” The PPP/C government is not only concentrating on the oil-and-gas industry, but also laying much emphasis on agriculture, tourism and natural resources for its economic engine growth. Mr Deakin is in tune with “Dig Baby Dig,” as he is quite impressed with the pace of field development.
22) City businessman, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, in his comparison surmised that: “You see in the governing party a strategy of inclusion, setting the stage for a solid platform for the future. With the Opposition, you see old leaders who are playing to a core base, but who will not be able to win support outside of that small base.” Guyanese are beginning to embrace the President’s “One Guyana” as the cement to build bridges across the different Guyanese groups.
23) “In both examinations, we saw about three per cent improvement in the performance,” Dr Marcel Hutson, Chief Education Officer, advised. A feather in Education Minister Priya Manickchand’s cap.
24) President Ali urged: “Recommit yourselves, rededicate yourself, refocus, rethink, realign and reposition yourself for success.” President Ali encouraged students who were not pleased with their performance not to be disheartened. They are still young and could look for opportunities equal to what they are most comfortable with, while travelling on the same road together to arrive at the same destination.
25) “The government will not be deterred by the APNU+AFC shenanigans as IDPADA-G must account for the use of state resources,” Minister Kwame McCoy stated. The coalition is grabbing at a straw to save face while trying a thing with “tit for tat.”
26) “Being Guyanese means that we are six people[sic]. We celebrate each other, we are all part of Guyanese tapestry,” Minister Walrond told the diaspora in Brooklyn, New York.  Guyanese are influenced now more than ever before to return home and enjoy what the homeland has to offer.
27) “We also bear responsibility as hosts for not preventing what we should have prevented,” German President, Frank Walter Steinmeier, apologized. After 50 years, Germany asks for forgiveness over 1972 Munich Games attacks.
28) “I hereby request a copy of these documents to initiate this process,” the Attorney General informed GECOM. Why would the PNC object to GECOM handing over the very documents which can boost their claim for election fraud? What is it that they are afraid of being exposed? When the fertilizer hits the fan, it will be not only a smelly affair, but a messy one too!
29) What did Pompeo say to Granger? Perhaps, the kind Mr Granger would like to share the good tidings with the nation!
30) “It’s not just someone coming with a sheet of paper collecting data and that is the end of it…..this is really the future,” President Ali said. Data collected will assist in guiding the government in the development of policies to address a wide variety of issues affecting the country and in identifying various gaps in society that may require specific intervention.
31) “I join all Guyanese in expressing our profound and deepest sorrow at the death of her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11. Her passing marks the end of an era in the history of the British monarchy, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations,” President Ali said. She was admired for her grace, dignity and dedication around the world, while committed [sic] to many charitable and environmental causes.
32) “The absence of confirmed judicial officers since the amendment of the Constitution for their appointments some 20 years ago is no clearer evidence that that system is not working,” President of the Bar Association, Pauline Chase bemoaned. What an “unfortunate state of affairs’ that since 2001, a sitting President has been unable to secure the agreement of the Opposition Leader on either of these appointments. During Granger’s tenure, he attempted to bring someone from outside of Guyana to fill the position of Chancellor!
33) “Better education for our girls will mean better economic opportunities for them,” First Lady Arya Ali pointed out in the UK. She is championing the cause for gender equality at the International Youth Summit, stating that: “No longer will it be a man’s world.”
34) Absolute power corrupted LFSB absolutely and his loyalists should accept both his “human and long-term political flaws, and sins against Guyanese humanity,” reminded Allan, the lad. Ouch, that hurts the righteous people in all the wrong places!
35) The PNC is clamouring for a clean list after fumigating and taking off all the dead people from the election 2020 list which the PNC loved and used. “Can you guess what will become of them after the next general election?” asked Mr. Ho-Ho-Ho.

Some 46 squatters from Cameron Dam, WBD, are smiling after being allocated lands along with 200 families allocated house lots at Stewartville and Meten-Meer-Zorg. Guyanese Louise Blenman is smiling as Belize’s new, sworn-in Chief Justice.
Some 35 youths from Micobie and Campbelltown Police Youth Corps in Region Eight are smiling with their back-to-school packages.
Further, 300 smiling students from underprivileged areas benefited from free eye testing and treatments, along with prescription spectacles, compliments of Clear Vision. Another 51 students are smiling after graduating from a 16-week programme in Digital Literacy and Data Skills Training organized by the University of Guyana.
Some 7,500 recipients are smiling with their 2022 government scholarships offered through GOAL and GROW. All Guyanese are smiling with the projection that Guyana will potentially earn US$1.1 billion from its total share of profit oil in 2022. Congratulations to all the smiling winners and students who were successful at the CSEC, CAPE and NGSA 2022 exams. Grade Six students are smiling with the National Breakfast Programme. As Mark Twain taught: “Never regret anything that made you smile,” do remember to smile on your way in life.

Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall