03/01/2026
Happy 2026 to all of Guyana here at home and the diaspora.
While we await an address from the President of Guyana on the Venezuelan issue and a collaboration with the Opposition let me report on yesterday's site visit.
Yesterday the first working day of the year I visited the Bourda Market in Georgetown with my Opposition Parliamentary Colleagues from WIN led by the Leader of WIN and Opposition Leader Mr. Azzrudin Mohamed.
The deplorable inhumane conditions ( flooding, clogged drains, leaking roof, garbage piled up for days, non functional toilet facilities) I saw whereby vendor ply their trade and customers endure is a reflection of the PPP Government that does not care for the working class people of this country but what was more troubling was a particular area of the market (Between North Road and Robb Streets) occupied by young people who are considered destitutes. Vendors complained of a young woman who I observed very sick and fragile laying on a piece of sponge, she needs medical help and they reportedly called the ambulance to take her to the hospital but nothing happened.
All of what I personally observed yesterday is a reflection of the prevalence of poverty impacting on the living conditions of approximately 58% of our population . I saw women who appeared to be of unsound mind trampling through the markets verbally abusing customers, young persons who appeared to be suffering from Substance abuse disorder piled up in one corner of the market. It was sickening to witness the condition of our people living right here in the Capital city of Georgetown. It was sickening to experience.
In the 2025 Budget the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security received under one Programme - Social Services $55,193,711,000.00. What measures did the Ministry put in place to address this particular issue? How can we as a society work collectively to end this situation at the Bourda Market?
I am calling on the Leaders with responsibility to get out of your fancy offices and visit the Markets - it is where the poor people shop for their sustenance. I would like to see a collaboration between the Ministries of Human Services, Local Government, Health and the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown to address these issues.