Dear Editor

I HAVE been reading the letters that other concerned citizens have written to you and it pleases me to see that there are others who are able to analyse quite accurately what is currently occurring in this country.

When persons voted for change in 2015 the cesspit this country had found itself in was so horrible that those who campaigned, those who supplied resources and those who voted came to an understanding that PPP should not be allowed to win another election.

There is a famous quote that says, ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’ As a society we cannot be allowed to forget our not too distant history as it would condemn us to a path from which we may find it impossible to return.

Let us take a quick look at the economy. Many are saying that the economy has slowed and ‘money isn’t stirring’ and many are laying blame at the feet of the government. However, if we take the time to analyse what is actually occurring, our perception of who is to be blamed may change.

This administration has declared a war on drugs. This administration has decided that the scourge of drugs that has been associated with Guyana internationally must be removed. Remember the days when every other day cocaine was going out in fish, or corilla, or wood or in coconuts, to name just a few of the favourites. This administration has decided that those days are going to end and Guyana would no longer be associated with terms such as ‘transhipment point’.

Now what does this have to do with the economy?

The monies that helped to keep the economy afloat under the previous administration came from drugs. Drugs and other illicit activities kept our economy running. If we want an end to corruption and drugs then we are indirectly saying that we want an economy that is not consumed by these illicit activities. And if we are happy that the government is trying to reduce corruption and the drug trade we cannot be upset that the amount of monies that are circulating has reduced. We must be able to recognise the relationship between the two and acknowledge that in order for us to grow and develop on a sound economic foundation we have to first face and accept the real state of our economy.

Regards
Tabitha Sarabo-Halley