Opinion

Dr. Devanand Bhagwan criticizes Rickford Burke, a prominent Seventh-day Adventist, for divisive rhetoric that fuels ethnic tensions in Guyana. Bhagwan condemns the silence of Christian leaders and urges action against Burke's inflammatory remarks, which contradict Christian teachings of love and unity. He calls for platforms like Facebook to address Burke's harmful posts.

Charles Sohan urges the release of a Joint Report by the Ministry of Public Works and Guyana Power and Light on the collapse of transmission poles. He questions the adherence to engineering standards and the integrity of the inspection process, highlighting potential corruption in government contract execution.

The letter praises the PPP/C government for delivering on promises and criticizes the APNU/AFC for past governance failures. It highlights the achievements of the PPP/C since 2020 and contrasts them with the previous administration's shortcomings. The author defends the 2025 Budget and critiques the opposition's response.

Banmattie Singh critiques Ravi Dev's claims about Seven Curry, emphasizing the cultural significance of ghee in Hindu practices and the dynamic evolution of Indo-Guyanese cuisine. Singh highlights the diverse influences on Indo-Guyanese culinary traditions and argues for a broader understanding of Seven Curry beyond its indentured origins.

The letter discusses the debate within GECOM and the public on introducing biometric fingerprint identification for voting in Guyana. Rohee opposes biometrics, citing legal, privacy, and logistical concerns. The Chair's final ruling deemed the introduction of biometrics infeasible before the 2025 elections, a decision Rohee supports.

The letter discusses the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and its implementation in Guyana through a Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG). It outlines the responsibilities of MSG members, the recruitment process for MSG-Civic members, and the role of Policy Forum Guyana in managing applications. The letter encourages consensus in decision-making.

Roy Paul suggests improvements to public systems: a public transportation system for better accessibility, free public libraries for community benefit, and more play parks for children's development. These enhancements aim to improve citizens' quality of life, leveraging the current budget allocations.

Keith Bernard suggests deploying 200 Guyana Defense Force troops to Haiti to aid in crisis resolution. This move would enhance regional solidarity, improve GDF's operational readiness amid Venezuelan threats, and demonstrate Guyana's commitment to international peacekeeping and regional cooperation.

Nigel Hughes responds to Nikhil Sankar's critique, emphasizing the need for a Commission of Inquiry into the deaths of Afro-Guyanese during the PPP era. He argues that debating numbers trivializes the tragedy and calls for structural reforms to address political and judicial issues, urging collaboration for justice and reconciliation.

The Working People's Alliance criticizes GECOM's Chair for rejecting biometrics in elections, fearing it undermines credibility. They urge legislative action for biometrics and blame delays on GECOM's Chair and PPP commissioners. The WPA calls for opposition mobilization to ensure credible elections with biometrics, a valid voters list, and impartiality.

J. Wong highlights the issue of low starting salaries in the private sector in Guyana, which prevent employees from benefiting from new Income Tax Amendments 2025. Wong calls for a higher minimum wage to ensure equitable salaries across sectors, emphasizing the disparity between private and public sector wages.

The Guyana Elections Commission's decision to not implement biometric voting for 2025 elections raises concerns about electoral integrity and impartiality. Despite years of discussion, GECOM cites a tight timeframe as the reason, aligning with ruling party preferences. The decision ignores global best practices and undermines public trust.

The letter discusses President Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship and its implications for Guyana. It suggests that Guyana should prevent illegal immigrants from Venezuela from gaining citizenship through birthright, to protect Essequibo. Guyana should issue Venezuelan birth certificates for these children and only allow citizenship if loyalty to Guyana is proven.

FITUG supports Budget 2025, highlighting benefits for the working class, including tax adjustments, increased income, and educational support. The budget addresses living costs, enhances public services, and fosters economic resilience. FITUG believes these measures will significantly improve the quality of life for Guyanese citizens.