Don't Help Us!

It seems a telling sign when government seems to be more willing to publicly squelch investment attempts in Guyana than to work hand-in-hand with those who make valiant efforts to help the country’s failing economy.

There are some who have come back home at much personal sacrifice to help Guyana get on its feet. These idealistic pioneers have left family, careers and comfortable lifestyles in other countries to return to the land of their birth with hopes of helping their homeland find its place on the international economic stage.

That much sacrifice says so much alone, but what says even more is the financial investment such people have poured into Guyana. When a person invests money into an endeavour, you know they are serious. Jobs have been created, community projects have been sprouting up everywhere and the country is better for it – even if just a little bit.

These sons and daughters of Guyana are not here to shake a stern finger at the country in reprimand. They know full well how much Guyana has suffered at the hands of poverty and simply want to invest some of their own hard earned money into their motherland. They have invested millions of dollars from other countries into the local economy with no one twisting their arms to do so. They do it for the love of Guyana.

Were their intentions noble? Absolutely! They believe in their country and want to see it reach the potential we all know is there. These generous souls did not have to return, but they wanted to give something back to the country that helped them become successful.

Even if they wanted to return, just to be with family or friends, they still didn’t have to invest their own money on a large scale. They could have easily lived a comfortable lifestyle with minimal investment into the lives of other Guyanese. Yet they chose a higher road, a road that would help as many people as possible.

What has been their reward? Red tape, provided in ample amounts by the government, and public ridicule from that same government. What a sad affair! Instead of offering public support, the government tells the media that these people are clueless about their investments and didn’t know what they were doing from the start.

The result is lost jobs and a continued suppressed economy. The well-intentioned souls will now pack up shop and in the process will suffer huge financial losses, not to mention a broken spirit.

Other would-be entrepreneurs who have longed for the day when they could invest in their Guyana will now be skittish at best. Frankly, I don’t blame them one bit. Who would? This week, it seems the government has gone out of its way to chase off a native-born Guyanese investor who returned with the hope of helping his country. He has also given substantially to community projects and charities, as well as supported the growth of businesses and media.

Why on earth would anyone want to come back to invest in Guyana after watching the government take down a business before it even got off its feet? No sane and rational person would.

It is Guyana that suffers the most from these tragic events. This particular investor, and any others who have suffered the same, will bounce back. However, it is the people who will endure the worst effects of such governmental insensitivity. The jobs that were to be created are now gone, additional investment monies in the agricultural sector are now gone and future potential investors will maintain at a safe distance.

The question is why? Why is the government being so stubborn? Perhaps it’s because of political vendettas since this particular investor had a history in politics before starting his business ventures. This seems highly probable given the public spectacle they made over the denial of his certification. Or maybe it’s because they don’t want the competition in this specific area, since they do currently control all exports through their own dilapidated facility – a facility the media has yet to be allowed access.

Maybe the reason is actually the one the government has offered, that the new facility is not ready for business. If that is the case, why not allow the media to compare the two facilities and let the public see for themselves how much better the government operated facility is than the new one that was just established? That would certainly allay any notions of improprieties.

In the end though, the reasons for such government actions are not as important as the fact that the people are the ones who once again suffer. Yet again the government has effectively chased off another investor and scared off even more. The message from the government is clear – Don’t help us! Don’t pour money into Guyana. Don’t start new businesses. Don’t create new jobs. Don’t try to help our economy.

If Guyana could pull itself up by the bootstraps and thrive on its own, then it would have certainly done so by now. It’s not as if by supporting these native-born investors the country is accepting charity from foreign investors, these are our own people who want nothing but the best for Guyana.

How much longer will the people endure the actions of flighty and slanted politicians? How much longer will we wallow in self-pity and poverty while government officials sip the best wine and wear the best suits? When will enough be enough? Guyana, the promising and budding Guyana, awaits your rely.