Kaieteur News Columnist Questions Government's Attention to Public Concerns

In a November 7, 2026, piece published in Kaieteur News, the columnist Peeping Tom addressed the assertion that the government does not listen, stating that the government does, in fact, listen very attentively. However, the author suggests that the government possesses a rather selective hearing, capable of hearing whispers from certain private sector quarters from a distance, but ordinary citizen concerns are lost between the ministry and the cabinet. The author posits that this may not be due to the government being hard of hearing, but rather that the average person lacks a sufficiently loud microphone.

The piece cited the current effort to convert and widen several roads in Georgetown as an example. While road widening is generally viewed positively, the author distinguishes this from an invasion of people's property, noting resident complaints that the widening encroaches on parapets. Residents expressed worry that the new roadways are positioned so close to fences that an out-of-control driver could end up in a living room. The author argued that parapets offer protection and provide necessary breathing space and greenery in a city becoming increasingly concrete.

Furthermore, the author criticized the approach to dealing with mud during the rainy season, suggesting that the authorities have chosen to 'concrete everything,' meaning they concrete muddy parapets, green areas, and even around trees. The columnist warned that this trend could lead to Georgetown having an abundance of concrete but lacking grass, soil, and vegetation.

Regarding urban density, the author observed that residential properties are being converted into commercial establishments, with houses becoming offices and residential streets turning into commercial strips along the East Bank, East Coast, West Bank, and West Coast of Demerara. This trend appears to suggest that planning has been replaced by a policy where individuals who can afford a house can decide its use. The consequences of this are being felt by residents who find their entrances blocked by customers or delivery vehicles from neighboring businesses, making it difficult to access their own yards.

The author noted that warnings were previously raised by residents during the planning of the Corentyne Highway extension regarding potential speeding, increased accidents, and proximity to residential properties. The columnist asserted that ordinary residents only live there and must deal with the consequences of decisions made by those drawing up the plans. The piece concluded by stating that the government needs to differentiate between listening to investors and listening to the people who must live with the outcomes of investment decisions, referencing the recent midterm elections in the United States as a reminder of voter frustration.