Looking at… Visa Envy

Lots of folks say that “Guyana isn’t a real place” to express their feelings about the outrageous happenings that are commonplace here in ole Mudland!! And the latest episode in the long-running soap opera about Sanction Man’s gonna give them more reason to roll their eyes!! Where else but in Guyana could a man fighting extradition to the United States turn up outside the American Embassy to recommend who should be next to lose their visa!?
Opposition Leader Sanction Man showed up with a contingent of his hired Scrapeheads in front of the Canadian High Commission demanding Special Branch Chief Prem Narine’s visa be revoked by them and the Yanks! He didn’t bother showing up at the US Embassy – probably because he thinks President Trump’s already taken over Canada!! He also complained that America cancels visas for “little and nothing at all” – clearly referring to the “insignificant” matter of him and his Daady smuggling 20 TONNES of gold through Miami!! The Yankee system is clearly outrageously arbitrary as it concerns HIM – but could still benefit from his recommendations!!
But Sanction Man’s gotta decide – is Uncle Sam abusing his power or merely failing to consult him before exercising it?!! It takes a lotta chutzpah to seek customer service from the very establishment whose legal department you’re fighting tooth and nail to avoid facing – wearing those nifty orange jumpsuits they’ve prepared!! Washington’s judgement requires vigorous challenge when it concerns Sanction Man, but when it concerns Guyana’s Spy Chief, Washington is demanded to act pronto, preferably before lunch!!
The US Embassy must be struggling to organise the correspondence where one file concerns their Government’s request to have Sanction Man sent over to face criminal charges while another concerns HIS request to keep Narine out!! The LOO’s developed an entirely new foreign policy – please stop inviting ME and start disinviting HIM!!
Now your Eyewitness accepts that Sanction Man’s entitled to contest extradition – and the US charges remain allegations, with innocence presumed unless guilt is proven!! But don’t HIS allegations against Narine likewise require evidence and proper investigation?? Or he’s now the accuser, Judge, and jury on Narine?? Your Eyewitness thinks the political spectacle deserves its own departure lounge.
For generations, we Guyanese measured success by getting an American visa – but now the LOO has advanced this to getting somebody else’s cancelled!! Forget cheaper groceries, constitutional reform or parliamentary scrutiny – bring your passport, collect your placard, and let’s build the nation with one rejected boarding pass at a time! Perhaps WIN could establish a shadow Ministry of Consular Affairs?
Their first policy recommendation to parliament could be admirably straightforward – Uncle Sam’s gotta respect Sanction Man’s rights – and inconvenience his enemies!!

…ground-up development
Seems to your Eyewitness that developments now got a village address – ‘cause behind our new highways, bridges and expanding skyline are thousands of citizens whose ambitions needed something considerably smaller than a billion-dollar contract – just enough capital to get started!! Pressie’s disclosure that the GDB’s already attracted some 15,000–20,000 applications signals a huge appetite for that opportunity!!
For a seamstress needing machines, a farmer seeking irrigation equipment, or a mechanic opening a workshop, an interest-free loan without collateral’s gonna remove formidable barriers!! Sadly, up to now, folks had to first HAVE wealth before a bank would CONSIDER loans!! And that’s where the Government financing of small enterprises can turn national revenue into productive assets, household earnings and jobs within communities!! Successful borrowers are then gonna purchase supplies and services from others – spreading the benefits!!
The GDB’s also providing borrowers with practical help – like on costing, bookkeeping, etc. – so thousands of ordinary Guyanese are now gonna be equipped to build something of their own!! That’s ground-up development!!

…marine readiness
As most Guyanese know – to our cost – most of the systems that are supposed to be in place for the functioning of Government services are left to founder on their own. That’s being exposed by the Barima CoI!