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Dear Editor
I made a post on social media relating my painful experiences of flooding of our shack, when I was a kid to what is transpiring in Success. A gentleman, on reading my post, sarcastically questioned where these people lived prior to Success. That question, by its nature and content, is symptomatic of what Guyana has been reduced to under PPP. No empathy. No appreciation of the sufferings of others. No holistic approach to issues which are only examined through unipolar political lenses.
A Government elected by the people should be for all the people. A Government of the people has a responsibility to serve all and not only a selected view. A Government enjoys its privileges from that contractual agreement established with the electorate. That contractual agreement is not only sacred but is written in stone. When that Government has a history of discrimination against a section of the society, it is imperative that they try to shy away from illegality and controversy, that will bring a further dark cloud over its rulership.
PPP enjoyed the reigns of power for 23yrs. Twenty three dark years of discrimination, victimisation and murders. This sordid record should have been enough to permanently exclude them from ever holding elected office. Sadly, that was not to be as they sold our country to the highest bidder to gain power through the back door.
The gentleman now warming the Presidential seat, awaiting his legal replacement, was the former Housing Minister under PPP. To say that he was devoid of ideas, as it pertained to solving the housing crisis which developed under his watch, would be an unpardonable understatement. During those painful 23yrs, there was absolutely no clear policy on housing. Clueless, they resorted to what they do best. Discrimination for land.
A housing policy should be informed by an understanding of the present demands for houses/ house lots.This is critical and should never be underestimated. An in-depth analysis of the demographics of the applicants who account for these demands, cannot be overstated. Such demographics include, are they low income? Do they have financial support? Are they entrepreneurs who are focusing on buy to rent? Are they single parents? Are they remigrants? A comprehensive examination of the geographical spread of the demands is also critical? Are these demands consistent with supplies? What about rural compared to urban? Are these demands consistent with Government plans for rural vs urban development and population? These are just but some of the variables that would explored.
Now armed with this information, a responsible and legitimate Government, would develop credible policies on how these demands can be made a reality, cognisant that a major determinant will be budgetary allocations. I should stress that a par excellence Minister would only see this is a determinant but not a permanent restriction. Persuasion and a clear vision will maximise benefits to his/her people.
Now a step closer in addressing the demands of the masses, a legitimate Government should then have the lands surveyed by professionals to ensure it is safe. Simply identifying land and dumbing the citizenry on them wouldn’t suffice. Once safety is established the lands should be prepared. Drainage is critical. Electricity supply beyond important. Machines can’t work without them. Roads need to be built. They will be needed to facilitate transportation of building material. Running water should never be ignored. Cement mixing needs them. Hygiene demands them.
At this point a legitimate Government may choose to sell some of the prepared lands to those who may have the resources to build. This may not be suitable for low income families.They may need much greater support. For this group the Government may construct affordable houses with these low income families paying nominal monthly rent, with the view to ownership after a specified period. Everyone cannot get house/ house lots at the same time. First come first serve is one option. Urgency of the demand is another eg single parent or homeless families. These are some off the cuff ideas. I cannot stress enough that politics or race should never inform decisions in housing.
PPP for 23yrs failed all of Guyana as they allocated themselves prime lands, to build their mansions. State resources were used to develop these lands. Friends and families also enjoyed such privileges. Sadly, the PPP also undertook an ethno-political policy of land distribution. Afro-Guyanese the victims. Afro-Guyanese the victims of these discriminatory practices.
Now PPP are back in power, the chickens have come home to roost. Many are still awaiting house/house lots. Many on the waiting list for decades. It was impossible for APNU-AFC to satisfy 23yrs set back in 4yrs. The discriminated people waited. The discriminated people, now hopeless, made a decision to squat. What other options they had? The fact is that these people are all Guyanese. Contrary to what the gentleman, alluded to earlier, was suggesting, these people did not invade Success. They did not invade Guyana and demanded land. They are Guyanese who like every Guyanese, are entitled to their own home.
The Government, rather not faced their 23yrs of failures, are trying to wash them away. Massive water pumps and police armed to the teeth, were brought to flood misery on people. Powerful pumps flooded their homes with water. All their life earnings soaked. Millions lost. Homes lost. Dignity lost. Voice lost. A Government made themselves judge, jury and executioner. The courts that put them into power is without their confidence.The courts may have taken too long their concern. With the election petition in their rear view mirror, they are eager to maximise the misery on the poor Guyanese before they are kicked out. Success will succeed. And so will Guyana
Regards
Dr Mark Devonish