Dear Editor,
Our Honourable Prime Minister, writing in his weekly column in the state-owned newspaper on Sunday, 26th August, made the Government’s case for the establishment of a homestead for Venezuelan refugees on humanitarian grounds.
Editor, the PM makes and defeats many straw men in his column, which leaves those of us who really care about our country to ask the obvious questions: Can we help people seeking to escape a failed welfare state by creating a welfare homestead for them? Can we afford to provide welfare for foreigners, seeing how little we make available to our own citizens in need? Who owns the land in Region 1 identified for ‘purchase’? How much money has been allocated to this ad hoc humanitarian project? What are the national security implications of a Venezuelan homestead in Essequibo?
Editor, the PM tells many tales to illustrate that Guyanese have at times claimed, and been granted, refugee status in foreign countries during the time of PNC rule. This is true, but at no time were Guyanese ever granted a homestead in any country; Guyanese emigrated and worked in every imaginable field of endeavour. Should the Government of Guyana wish to ease requirements for work permits for Venezuelans, they would have my support, but not welfare while teachers, nurses and law enforcement remain grossly underpaid.
The biggest surprise of this ‘Homestead Initiative’ is the naivety of a Government led by a former Brigadier of the Guyana Defence Force to think that a Venezuelan Homestead in Essequibo (territory claimed by Venezuela) does not pose a grave threat to our territorial integrity.
What happens when (not if) a Venezuelan citizen claims mistreatment? When they refuse repatriation and seek legal representation? What happens when the hope of welfare leads to an overwhelming flood of immigrants crossing the border? What happens when one million people pour into the country?
Will our meagre law enforcement resources be enough to handle them? Will our GDF ranks load themselves into their 30 new Chinese buses and race to reinforce the border crossing?
The PM and the APNU + AFC Administration would be better off with serious discussion and consideration of the very real scenarios as posited above, instead of the inane public relations missives such as the PM’s My Turn.
We cannot hold out false hope for people; Guyana cannot afford this folly, it can only end badly for us. We must accept that our capabilities do not match all the good intentions we have towards our neighbours, and as Peter Tosh sang, “Sorry fi Maga Dog, Him turn around, bite you”.
Respectfully
Robin Singh
