BELIEF, ACTION and BOLD.
The People’s Progressive Party, in its press conference has
informed the media of their decision not to name the running mate with their
Presidential Candidate, as yet. Obviously, such a person would be an
Afro-Guyanese. So, for the PPP, it is Mr.Ramotar and the yet to Be Named. The Alliance for Change has pretty well
decided on their masquerade as well-Mr. Nagamotoo and Mr.Hughes. The other
participant in this age old deception of tolerance among Indos and Afros is A
Partnership for National Unity. For them, the task is to identify an Indo
running mate for Brigadier Granger.
Since 1992, this have been a charade. For the last 22 years,
has the majority of Afros ever found confidence in Mr. Samuel Hinds? I guess
not.
Let us go back to the 1955 Split. With East Indians of
moderate values supporting Mr. Burnham, the Burnhamite PPP emerged and later
the People’s National Congress. Yet those East Indian did not offer their
concerns over an organized prejudice. They were quiet in that era.
Then, much later, another group of East Indians joined the
People’s National Congress. They too were quiet about the organized prejudice.
East Indians wrote for Mr. Burnham the articles that gave
him absolute power. And the PNC lasted for 28 years.
For the last 22 years, what has the Afros in the People’s
Progressive Party done for the Afro population? They too have been quiet.
So, this arrangement is only a window dressing. Get elected.
And disappear.
It is about time the people be wise. You are seasoned and
matured in this deception. You are old enough to CHOOSE without any racial
preference.
Y0U THE ELECTORATE IS READY to make that choice. I WILL
TEMPT MY FAITH. I SHALL COME.
Firstly, I wish to address those who are in the Sugar and
Rice sector. For sugar, it appears the spokesman for the Peoples National
Congress would consider alternative types of industry in its place. I am not so
sure that sugar production has reached its end in Guyana. It appears that APNU
does not have the drive to offer its solutions to the industry. Under President Burnham, GUYSUCO was formatted-his
aim to house, clothe and feed the nation was a vision of rural development.
After 1973, it seems, he got distracted and those in authority saw his vision
as meaning Afro domination and the advancement of Pan-Africanism.
Many things plagued the sugar industry under the watch of
the Peoples National Congress. Perhaps, it was viewed as an Indo dominated
industry. And the scarcity of foreign exchange did not make it possible for the
purchase of spare parts.
But the demise of the industry was set on its current path
by President Jagan. He appointed the Chairman and its Board and then walked
away. Never looked back or reviewed their performance. As with all state
assets, the victory of the Peoples Progressive Party empowered them to replace
every PNC appointed Chairman and its Board members. Unfortunately, many of
those PPP appointments were unsuitable party members. Lack of management skills
created the path for massive corruption.
And the Poor Paid the Price for the devious acts of the PPP
regime.
Secondly, Rice cultivation was the poor’s man way of adding
income to his family. In the early years of rice cultivation in British Guiana,
it was a family affair. Everyone was in the rice field-planting, nurturing and
harvesting. It was mothers, fathers and children-boys and girls. Through hard
work, rice cultivation became a sustainable industry in the colony. And it was structured by the PPP of the
1950’s. The Rice-Millers and individuals associated with the Rice Producers Association
rose to the elitist class. Leaving behind the farmers on the economic ladder
who struggled with their crops, shipped to the rice-millers who seldom paid the
farmers on time. This scenario happens on to this day.
And the Poor, once again Paid the Price for the devious
actions of the PPP
These two industries, sugar and rice can be combined to
manufacture value added products. Like in all types of enterprise, it is
necessary to modernize and eliminate excesses to be productive-efficiently.
PROPOSAL:
On the Courantyne, modern facilities will be constructed to
process rice into every consumer product-targeting domestic and international
markets.
Sugar is used in about every type of consumer products.
Those products will be identified. Production facilities will be set up to
manufacture such products. We are equal to our competitors-the Chinese. They
are not smarter than us.
Some Sugar Mills will be re-configured to manufacture by
products of sugar-cane.
Each functioning Sugar Estate will be structured to generate
additional electricity and supply communities adjacent to the estates.
For Linden, a modern fabricating and machine shop will be
developed to handle the requirement of Mining Industry. Also, a modern wood
processing plant to manufacture finished wooden products for export. Something
like IKEA does. The Chinese are taking our logs to process in China for the
international markets. We can do the same.
Great emphasis will be placed in the development of the
Amerindian communities. A meeting will convened to discuss their needs. Without
hesitation, those plans will be implemented.
On the Essequibo, an ultra-modern canning industry will be
developed.
SCHEME of THINGS:
The PPP speaks of future plans in the works. Nothing they
have done so far worked.
The PNC/APNU doesn’t say much about how they will create
jobs. But they talk about the massive unemployment in the country.
The AFC talks about the excesses of the PPP. Nothing is said
about the solutions to the current dilemma.
I believe in improving to the maximum what we already have
in our hands. Add value to it. And sell it to the world. Prices must be very
competitive. Just as the Chinese. China did not achieve their prestige position
in the world by a sudden leap, but rather by slowly developing all their
resources. A story I have been told. After the revolution, steel was scarce in
China. Moa Tse Tung had every person in China delivered whatever non-useable
steel they could find-and that was the beginning of the Chinese Steel making
venture which later equipped them to be mass manufacturers. It is said, “Any
country where more than 50% of the population is employed in manufacturing,
that country is a progressive one. Our people are talented in everything we do
and wherever we work. Guyana has the people to be a progressive country. We
just need good leadership. Perhaps, the Chinese could manufacture in Guyana. I
know, it has been reported that they treat Guyanese badly. But under good
governance, all facets of investment will be scrutinized for abuses.
Build Operate Transfer (BOT) is not beneficial to the long
term development plans of the country. We are to start thinking like a country
with hopes and aspirations towards a future. It is essential that a micro crude
oil processing plant be set up in Guyana. It is important that a government
invests in the country’s future. We shouldn’t expect serious foreign
investments to come to us if we do not lead the way in our own development.
NICIL, a PNC creation was intended to sell off state assets and invest in the
job creation sector. The PPP of 1992, upon taking office, hastily disbanded the
GAIBANK and GUYMIDA. Thereby, shifting job creation by the local economy to
international investors with untold amounts of money like the Chinese. That PPP
decision killed the entrepreneurial spirit of the average Guyanese people. The
access to investment capital were no longer possible from the State.
In time, I will address every ethnic group and business
sector, but at this time I will focus on the sugar workers.
I ask you the sugar workers to consider carefully. You could
very well lose your jobs. Unless, you carefully weigh your decisions before
voting at the upcoming elections. You’ve
had 22 years of the PPP and their efforts concerning your livelihood. And they
care less if you are without jobs. The PPP is lacking in every way to save your
jobs. As for the PNC/APNU, they doan even want to try and save your jobs. They
ready to close the whole enterprise down. The AFC, reminds me of the PPP –the
old PPP was no different than the new PPP of today. So far, they all talking
but nothing is being said in your favour.
In the 1950’s, the sugar workers were called upon to endorse
the People’s Progressive Party at the 1953 General Elections.
Today, I ask for your support to get me onto the political
stage.
BELIEF: The electorate has reached the time of history to
choose a political leader that offers job creation and sound governance.
ACTION: I am equipped to do what I have said. I am a
graduate of Bookers Training Centre. I have worked on a sugar estate and
familiar with the process and all of its mechanical equipment in the
manufacture of sugar. A Canadian graduate in Mechanical Engineering. Also, I
have 32 years of management skills in the manufacturing sector in Canada. I am
an entrepreneur.
BOLD: I am bold to tell every citizen-old, young, woman, man
and child. You are alive today. I want you to know a whole generation have died
during the 65 years of existence of the People’s Progressive Party. They have
taken away God from this society. Is it any wonder the country reels from
crimes, suicides and all manner of perils that can befall upon mankind?
In closing, I quote, ”A nation’s culture resides in the
hearts and in the souls of its people.”
Thank you.
Velutha Kuttapen
www.timehritoday.blogspot.com
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