Dear Editor,
In my recent letter, I made mention of the incident that occurred on the West Coast of Demerara, between officials of the GNBS and Chinese from a store. Apart from a statement being issued of the Chinese being arrested for assault, nothing else of the proceedings could be heard.
My concern is that foreigners being allowed to enter Guyana, defy the Laws of Guyana and flood the markets with inferior products, and assault representatives when they try to enforce the law.
My other concern is, were these officials on an operation, or were they conducting an illegitimate raid with the intention of collecting bribes. A few days ago, in Berbice, boldly displaying for sale are inferior products that the authorities instructed to be removed from the shelves. I could safely say that all the Chinese stores that I have visited seem to be defying instructions and selling inferior products. Is there some arrangement between the Chinese and officials?
Repeatedly I’ve been saying that there are many qualified people seeking jobs in Guyana, and if the relevant agencies are understaffed, they should employ and train. But that might be an impossible task because there are many holding positions and stifling progress by expanding. Some could be politically/racially or financially motivated to prevent progress. It’s amazing to know that even though there are claims that Guyana is moving forward, we are still being forced to rely on the ancient system. Everything is in Georgetown and officials have to leave there for outer regions, should they choose to monitor what happens.
Editor, Guyana boasts of its forestry and the wide variety of woods being used locally and exported. Over the years, furniture manufacturing evolves into a thriving business and almost anyone who could use a saw and hammer, is venturing into this field, without any proper training. Many store owners buy to resell, and they seek the cheapest source to gain huge profits. Some manufacturers even sell themselves.
Whilst many lacking creativity, a lot are made with the cheapest materials and wood. I could boldly say that you will pay a huge amount of money for your furniture and sadly, in Guyana, you getting the lowest grade of furniture. Below the cover, you will see your furniture is made with ‘form’ board, a type of wood that is popularly being used as a temporary construction, which is discarded after one use.
Another material being used is the popular MDF board. Both of these materials are a magnet for termites and should they get water, one starts swelling and the other starts rotting away. Recently I discover all the issues listed occurring to all my furniture, and I post my dismay on social media only to get comments and messages from others facing similar. One person advised that there are agencies I could go to lodge complaints, but my argument is, there are agencies to take complaints, why don’t they make systematic checks to these stores and issue advisory to save the public?
These people are getting paid to do nothing and stifling progress in Guyana. Government should find means to get rid of these ornaments in office. But then again, during election periods, many businesses donate campaign money and get free reins to bleed the citizens after.
Sincerely,
Sahadeo Bates
