Guyana’s latest “construction company” at work?

Dear Editor, Dear Editor, At first glance, these images might look like routine road works being done by construction workers, except that is quite far from the fact. Change was the key word and message purported by members of the current administration, but pictures tell a thousand words, none of which is “change”. Dennis Street, a popular one-way road leading towards Sheriff street is well known by many as being dangerous with large sections eroded, leaving it uneven. Many a driver had their tires punctured or slashed and their rims bent while traversing on the street. Nevertheless, four Campbellville youths took it upon themselves to patch up this particular stretch of the road with the very basic of materials. They have been “working” there since the beginning of the week with tools (pickaxe and buckets) they borrowed from patrons in the area. In addition, salt-bags filled with boulders and stones of all sizes were solicited from a neighbor who had just finished some construction, the remains of which were utilized by the youths. They toiled in the blazing sun trying to fill up the huge depressions in the road with stones, brick by brick. At various intervals, the young men would try to get “donations” from cars as they passed along the street, which in itself, served as a day’s pay for the work they had done. As a matter of fact, they were grateful for anything they would receive including bottles of water to quench their inevitable thirst. As for the road, it is in a far better state and safer than it was before. Vehicles can now pass through that section of road without much trouble, albeit temporarily. It only took the four young men of no construction experience seven days to achieve this. Now imagine the possibilities if they had the proper resources available to them. When asked why they were doing it, they responded by saying they desperately needed the money and had no other alternatives. This is just one scenario out of the many seen all over Guyana that follows the same direction with the young, willing and able finding it very difficult to locate job opportunities. Hence, they have to use unconventional ways to makes ends meet, and sometimes the methods used aren’t always legal. This leaves a lot more questions than there are answers.What happened to all the jobs that were promised to the youths? Why isn’t more attention being paid to the youths that are trying to be productive? Why wasn’t the road repaired by the relevant authorities? When will all the talk turn in to some action? The sand in the hourglass is falling and soon people will lose all confidence in the government they elected, if they haven’t already.
Yours trulySteven A Seepersaud