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| A CALL FOR 2005 TO BE A YEAR OF SERIOUS I returned to St. Lucia on January 3, after eleven wonderful days in Georgetown, Guyana. I am very thankful for the experience and I felt the pain and the joy of my fellow Guyanese as we weathered the difficulties brought about by the floods. Very few people who lived in Georgetown escaped putting their feet into the muddy water during the heavy rains. However, Georgetown with all its problems is still a great city to visit and for me being home for the holidays was one of the best gifts I could have given myself. The Garden City was under water for Christmas and New Year. Everything to spoil the season happened. On Boxing Day morning, many homes were flooded. Many reasons were advanced for the flooding, a Commission was set up but the spirit of the people remained high and in the end a peaceful and joyful Season was achieved. The parties were grand and the fun was very much the way it used to be. The oldies were goldies everywhere coming from the sound systems. In spite of the rainy nights, hearts were warm and the good times rolled. Many of us who traveled to Guyana during the run up to Christmas were left without luggage for several days. A group of us went home for a wedding of a colleague and got our luggage just hours before the ceremony. There was even a strike at the airport which caused some passengers to miss some of the fun. The Murphy Law did prove itself. Everything that could have gone wrong, did. Those of us who experienced the bad weather and flooding must be grateful that no death was recorded. Many business places suffered substantial loss in damaged products and patronage as a result. Good old Fogarty’s was as old times untouched by the flood. I had breakfast in the Snackette and did some shopping in the Department store. I truly enjoyed the atmosphere as it brought back memories of my younger days. The time has come for business owners in the city to take over its upkeep with the support of the City Council and the Government and put in place those necessary things to return Georgetown to its former glory. We can surely do better. Something is definitely wrong and steps must be taken to correct the state of affairs. If something is not done to correct the flooding of the city, given our unfortunate state of being under sea level, we can well experience a Tsunami in Guyana. Our Capital is too beautiful to allow such decay. The weather pattern of the world has changed drastically. In the Caribbean what used to be rainy season is now dry and natural disasters everywhere are increasing in intensity and devastation. The signal is clear that national governments have to step in and ensure that drainage takes priority as to neglect this important undertaking can be costly to a nation. Elections are in the air in Guyana and St. Lucia, although constitutionally due in 2006, political parties are assembling in both countries. Many are convinced that the results in both countries are predictable as potential new entrants into the field of politics are not prepared to take risks and to fail is almost suicidal. Some interesting things are happening in Guyana. The road to Timehri will be completed in 2005, already the trip is easier than it used to be. Housing schemes are coming on stream and generally the prospects look good for 2005 and beyond. Guyana will be an attractive destination for Caribbean people when the 1st phase of the CSME is implemented later this year. We will see a number of our Caricom brothers and sisters owning property in Guyana because it will be very attractive to them given their high currency. Regional tourists travelling to Guyana will be substantially increased. Business will boom as already many consumer products are competitively priced. Guyanese business persons, small, medium and large are collaborating with the Government to promote Guyanese products around the Caribbean and beyond. This year they are commencing their road show with a Trade Exhibition to St. Lucia scheduled to take place February 25 – 27, 2005. Honorary Consul for Guyana to St. Lucia Mr. Lokesh Singh is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the Mission is a successs. The Guyana – St. Lucia Association is collaborating fully and it fits in beautifully with the Annual Awards Ceremony that is held to mark Republic Anniversary celebrations. So come February 22, we celebrate, St. Lucia’s Anniversary of Independence and move into Guyana’s Republic Anniversary, followed by the Trade Exhibition. Let us take action from wherever we are whether at home in Guyana or abroad that we lift up the banner of Guyana high and support our friends and families are holding the fort that we can return from time to time to a place we can call home. If you have not been home for a while, resolve to visit sometime this year and catch up on what could be an eye opener to the developments that have taken place in our dear land – Guyana. I congratulate those who have stayed on and continue to contribute to the progress that is taking place.
Edward A. Harris Email: thenetworker@candw.lc |
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