Dear Editor,
Over the years, I’ve gotten extremely tired of questioning the sanity of those responsible for making decisions that would enable everyone to have a better life. In a previous letter, I mentioned the tremendous increase in fares commuters traversing to and from Berbice have to pay. Nothing has been done to assist, whilst commuters continue to be exploited.
Interestingly, last week I journeyed to Charity, and at Supenaam, the taxi driver informed passengers that the fare is $2000 per person, and that he could carry only two passengers. Upon questioning, I was informed that drivers have to comply with the Police instructions or they would be charged.
Incidentally, the taxis do not run at a loss because, with the increase of fare, their two passengers have to pay the amount that totals up to the taxi’s normal trip money when things are okay.
The new system being enforced by the Police is very comical, because a passenger could sit in the front with the driver or in the back seat, so whilst forcing the driver to carry only two passengers, one seat is still vacant, whilst private cars and others could take the full five. If the taxis were allowed to take their usual three passengers, the fares would have been less!
In addition, there’s always confusion at the Parika and Supenaam stellings because some moron has decided that the ferry should work only one trip a day. There were two ferries obtained by the PPP/C Administration to help with the situation there, and somehow, running up to the last election, someone came up with a genius idea to victimise the commuters traversing there. They grounded/parked one of the ferries, and the other makes one trip from Supenaam to Parika and back to Supenaam, where it waits until the next day to work again. The ferry doesn’t work on Saturdays or Sundays.
Editor, for as long as I can remember, there have always been attempts (some succeed) by mischievous elements to create havoc and in the process burn buildings either before or after election in Guyana. I am also of the opinion that there are others who use this period to fulfil their own motives. It’s not a strange issue in Guyana, but what I cannot understand is why isn’t security beefed up during this period?
Sometimes I wonder if there’s collusion. Whilst everyone is fussing behind the election and the COVID-19, we all seems to forget the brave security that saved the Umana Yana from burning down, preventing millions of dollars in expense. Is there any plan to reward this brave woman?
Sincerely,
Sahadeo Bates
