THERE are some people in our society who are so blinded by prejudice that they could see nothing positive taking place in Guyana. They find fault with anything the current PPP/C administration does, regardless how well-meaning and beneficial these are for the Guyanese people. These are professional “fault-finders” who only look for “faults” and could see nothing else.

Thankfully, such people are in the minority and does not in anyway speak for the masses of the Guyanese people. These are people who behave as though they have a constituency when in fact the people they speak for do not extend beyond a misguided few.

Persons such as those cannot be helped. Nothing that the government does will suffice. Even if the roads were to be paved with gold, they would complain that the glare is too much for their eyes!

Take for instance the issue of carbon credits. This is a major development, one that will impact the lives of all Guyanese in positive ways, especially our Amerindian brothers and sisters.

Instead of giving credit to the PPP/C administration for having advanced the discussions to a point where the credits have now become a reality, these opposition elements have been making the specious argument that enough from the carbon proceeds is not given to the Indigenous peoples. Indeed, Guyana is the first such country to have scored such an extraordinary feat, thanks to the hard work done both by President Irfaan Ali and Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The same could be said for oil and gas and the Amalia Falls Hydropower project. These opposition elements sought to throw cold water on these projects in every conceivable way. The fact that these projects are designed to bring down the energy cost by nearly half is of little or no consequence.

Not even President Ali’s proactive leadership style has been spared the “wrath” of these individuals who complain that the public service is being undermined by the on-the-spot solutions to festering problems!

If these people have their way, the oil contracts will be scrapped altogether and ExxonMobil would be sent packing, never mind the fact that the impact of oil has catapulted Guyana to one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and the country is now on the path to economic and social prosperity.

It does not follow from the above that all criticisms are bad. Indeed, there are considerable benefits to be derived from those who may have alternative or even opposing views, but such criticisms must be based on objective realities and facts. In other words, there is value in constructive criticism and those intended to advance the common good.

President Ali, on his part, has been very active on the local and international stage promoting his vision of a One Guyana based on the principles of equity and social cohesion. In his recent speech to the Guyanese diaspora in The Bahamas, the President said that he will not rest until the country is unified, something he is passionate about.

As noted by President Ali, it is important to shape the collective mindset to one of greater involvement by all in the exciting task of national development, especially at this time when the country is on the cusp of monumental change and transformation.

The One Guyana platform provides an opportunity for all Guyanese to become integrally involved in this transformation process. But, as President Ali observed, it has to come from within, from the way we relate to each other, to our communities and our country.