Dear Editor,

2023 will be remembered for the year Guyana was consumed, devoured and maligned by a society intoxicated with venomous characters and sanitised with benign personalities.

The statisticians are concurring with a jury still out, attempting to examine the logistics to judge how the positive and negative effects destroyed, divided or developed the thin fabricate of a tested Guyanese temperament. In an equation factored with peaceful, pleasant and productive factors minus dangerous, destructive and discordant elements, what sign is reproduced as a result? 2024 is the eve of another election year and the robust political campaign trail perhaps commenced since 2020.

Last year will not be forgotten for it was a year when frenzied, murderous activities penetrated a fuming society to a fiery level and left a high fatality number, in particular fierce violence against women who suffered ferocious attacks from their companions, be it husband, lover, friend or acquaintance. Some regions were more susceptible to others while some were less vulnerable. Mr. Crime did not fail to leave an indelible mark on the last day of the year to crown these harrowing and horrifying tragedies.

A 25-year- old woman was allegedly beaten to death by her husband early Sunday morning at Parika, East Bank Essequibo. A 40-year-old man was shot by bandits and died at a wedding house on Sunday in Canal Number 2 Polder, West Bank Demerara; another man remains critical. On Saturday, the eve of Old Year’s Day, a 56-year-old man was allegedly chopped to death by his wife’s brothers at Linden. A 30-year-old man was shot and killed on Saturday at Ruimveldt, East Bank Demerara. Will rage, haste and anger remain victorious to rule the demented mind of vindictiveness? Will men become advocates of non-violence against women?
Our roads and streets provided a scene for willful massacres and wanton deaths due to recklessness and carelessness exhibited by callous drivers and dare-devil riders. A 43-year-old motorcyclist was killed when he collided with a car on Saturday on the Enmore Public Road, East Coast Demerara. The absence of patience, discipline and not heeding simple traffic regulations play a major role in determining some of the reasons for such dramatic tragedies. How many more innocent lives will be wasted due to avoidable accidents? Will road safety be practiced instead of being preached?
The towering inferno of fires created havoc in a country that cannot afford the loss of properties by the state or people. So many government buildings, be it offices, stations or schools were set aflame. People’s homes were burnt, some deliberate. The Mahdia devastation will continue to traumatise children, parents, teachers and officials for a long time. As if to remind us that we cannot overlook the dangers of playing with fire, eight people were left homeless as a result of a fire that engulfed a home in La Grange, West Bank Demerara on the last day of the year. Here is a typical case of how adults need to be educated about educating children not to play with matches and lighters. Can the rules of fire prevention be displayed in homes?

Guyana commenced the year with flair and flamboyant feathers in her cap as she takes the membership seat on the United Nation’s Security Council for the next two years and looks forward to assuming the Chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Hopefully, the Argyle Agreement will see a subdued Venezuela refraining from any further aggression on Guyana’s land. Guyana’s friendly relationship can only increase with the international community as President Ali continues to forge political and economic partnerships with global leaders and companies who are anxious to do business with a flourishing oil developing nation.

2023 ended with the local business community pursuing a pathway to invest more in nation building, infrastructure and people through the field of commerce. Demerara Bank opened another branch at Leonora, West Coast Demerara as the year ended. With Camex Restaurant Inc. opening a new outlet at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, this commissioning underscores more international franchising wanting to join the competition of establishing business in Guyana. This trend can only redefine the confidence level in a growing economy and an anticipation of more such ventures.

The government continues to exhaust the promises from a 2020 election manifesto, and this paves the way for bigger and better tidings structured to satisfy the interest of Guyanese. With the Demerara Bridge hoping to be completed this year, a four-lane Wismar/Mackenzie bridge will also begin this year along with the building of more highways to interconnect a massive traffic networking in all the regions.

Free university education will augment the already flattering education programme. With more new hospitals in the making for this year, the health of the nation will be propelled with modern and advanced technology. This is just the top of the tip of the iceberg as all the ministries await the passing of the budget before they can launch into their projects, especially in the fields of housing and agriculture.

With the numerous diversifications, the Dutch Disease has no place of berthing on this fertile land. With sugar production on the increase, rice earnings escalating and tens of thousands of acres of corn and soya bean sown last year, no wonder over US$8 million was derived from non-traditional exports. 2024 promises to reshape the lives of Guyanese, satiate the hunger of challengers, quench the thirst of seekers, quell the doubts of naysayers and satisfy the anxiety of believers. The new year certainly promises great expectations from a caring and concerned government.

Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall.