Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 18, 2014 Letters
DEAR EDITOR,
We the people of Plaisance have noted that the government has been allocating the resources of our country in a very discriminatory manner. In the process, it has, through the use of the nation’s resources, created a very wealthy and parasitic elite who in their quest to accumulate the nation’s wealth for themselves are plundering the resources of our country and exercising contempt for ordinary people.
With total disregard for the people of Plaisance, the Jagdeo government acquired prime lands and allocated it to the ruling elite, their families and friends at below market value. This area is now popularly called Prado Ville 2, having already done the same thing when Prado Ville 1 was developed. What this means is that the government has taken prime lands from the village while the people in the village are starved of land, much less prime lands. To the government we say let Prado Ville be the last bit of land grabbing in our village. We will stand firm and ensure the backlands of Plaisance stay within the ownership and control of the people of Plaisance.
We the people of Plaisance are adamant that our backlands will not be taken and given to the land grabbing elite. Our ancestors have laboured and left us that legacy. We will protect and defend that rich legacy. Historically, when you acquired a piece of land in the village, you also acquired a piece in the backlands for farming purposes. We believe we have a right to those lands and the state should desist from preventing us from utilizing what has been historically ours.
The people of Plaisance are not requesting hand outs. We are requesting that the government do what any decent and legitimate government does – provide the necessary infrastructure, especially drainage, irrigation and farm to market roads for the farmlands and road, water and electricity to those lands that we intend to use for housing.
It is unfortunate that this government feels that all the prime land must go to their “buddies” and the small man must be at their mercy whenever they need a piece of land. We say no to this policy of land to the rich and landlessness to the poor. We will ensure we keep our lands. It is an attack on our dignity to attempt to dispossess us of our birth and ancestral rights. We will stand up and never be supine.
We find it alarming that rather than provide infrastructure, the government, in a fashion reminiscent of the slave masters, chose to flood the lands. We call on the government to release the water from our lands, remove the blocks they have placed at the mouth of the canals and allow the water to flow.
It is irresponsible, spiteful and lawless for government, amidst a Chikungunya outbreak to flood the lands of the people, knowing full well that the stagnant water will breed mosquitoes with the concomitant negative consequences for the health of the people of Plaisance and neighbouring villages. We call on the government to immediately release the water. Failing to do that, we the citizens of Plaisance and Guyana will be forced to conclude that the government is deliberately creating the conditions for an epidemic in the area.
It should also be pointed out that the government has destroyed the fruit trees that were in our backlands. It is appalling for a government that claims it wants to promote agriculture to destroy the fruit trees in the village backlands. There should be compensation for the destruction of the village’s fruit trees. First it was Buxton, now it is Plaisance. Villages need to unite against this agri-terrorism. The government must stop killing out the fruit trees to achieve their narrow political objectives. Let us unite and stop this onslaught on the poor by this uncaring and parasitic ruling elite. Villages must recognize that when injustice is dished out to one village it is injustice to all.
It has been more than a year since the government imposed an IMC on the people of Plaisance. Rather than serve the people of Plaisance/Industry Neighbourhood, the IMC and the Minister of Local Government are witch-hunting. We wish to make it clear that only Ms. Debra McDowell will be accepted as the overseer in the area. We will not tolerate the injustice that the government is seeking to dish out to this public servant who has served with distinction.
We the citizens of Plaisance are of the firm view that we will not allow the government-imposed IMC to continue to run roughshod over the village. We call on the government to hold local government elections. Failure to convene local government elections will leave villagers with no alternative but to convene our own local government elections. We believe it is the right of the people to choose by way of elections those who govern them.
We wish to place on record our concern about the attitude of one health official at the health centre in Plaisance. For years, all Guyanese of all ethnic groups in the area have been using that facility without conflict. That must continue. The authorities must warn the particular health official who is failing to be professional that he should desist from doing things that will disrupt the peace, calm and unity which have prevailed over the years. If this divisive approach continues, we will be forced to demand the removal of the said health official.
The people of our village turned out in large numbers on Tuesday 14th October 2014 and resolved to continue the struggle for justice. We will pursue that mandate and continue to exercise our legitimate right to protest. The protest will continue until there is justice and fair play.
CITIZENS OF PLAISANCE
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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