The PPP did not call for an inclusionary approach when signing the first oil contract

Feb 18, 2018 Letters

Dear Editor,

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) continues to demonstrate, it has earned its place in the Opposition benches. Today as one reads or listens to the utterances and reasoning of the leadership of this party, who when they had the confidence of the people to govern, trampled the very things they articulate to justify their present place. This society is now having the benefit of hearing the PPP/C talking about the respect for inclusionary democracy, fundamental rights and freedoms, the importance of the Rule of Law as ensconced in the Constitution and Laws of Guyana. It is therefore clear that they knew what was right but deliberately engaged in wrongdoings.
Anil Nandlall’s letters on the Constitution make an interesting read. His interpretation of the spirit, intent and letter of this instrument in large part cannot be faulted, yet as the leading legal person in the PPP/C, who also served as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, he failed to pilot his party during its stewardship in government along these said lines.
This society is still reeling from wanton violations of the Rule of Law during the PPP/C stewardship. Freedoms and rights, the most fundamental being that of the right to life, freedom of speech, right to work, freedom of association, and right to collective bargaining were trampled on with impunity. Ours had become a society littered with horrors due to the wanton disregard for these universally acceptable principles under successive PPP/C administrations.
Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo has recently made a call for an inclusionary approach between the Government and Opposition, via parliamentary and extra-parliamentary engagements, in revisiting the contract with ExxonMobil amidst growing public concerns whether Guyana got the best deal or not. What he is calling for in this specific case is consistent with what is considered a responsible role by a political party.
Our parliament is the nation’s highest decision-making forum and the PPP/C is the elected representative of almost half of the society. The Constitution requires of us an inclusionary approach in the management and decision-making processes of the State on matters that directly affect our well-being (Article 13). The new oil and gas industry falls into this category and will impact supporters of the PPP/C and the wider society.
It is unfortunate when the PPP/C Government started the exploration and signed the initial contract with ExxonMobil the wisdom of taking a national inclusionary approach was not considered or seen as vital. Not once was this matter brought to the people’s attention for national discourse nor was it placed on the National Assembly’s agenda. Jagdeo as President, in other areas such as sugar, bauxite and hydropower-major economic shifts- too failed in taking a similar approach that he today calls for.
Some will argue based on the PPP/C exclusionary approaches to governance it deserves to be shut out, but wisdom dictates that tit-for-tat is an inimical approach to good governance since it hurts development, human and otherwise.
As there continues to be observation of the politicians’ conduct, on both sides, what we need on issues of national import is political maturity, regard for treating all with respect and dignity, recognition and respect for constitutional duties and responsibilities.
The politicians know what is right but when given the confidence of the people to manage their affairs they do wrong. This is why society must continue and intensify its vigilance and hold them to account. We must not be afraid to speak out, articulate our understanding on any issue, and/or put them in the opposition benches when they fail to conform to practices of good governance and commitments they made when not in government.
Further, as we hold those today in the Executive accountable, including for commitments made while in the Opposition, we must so equally hold those who are today in the Opposition for squandering the privilege given to them by the people to serve in the Executive when they trampled us and mismanaged our resources.
Lincoln Lewis

1 thoughts on “The PPP did not call for an inclusionary approach when signing the first oil contract”

bl_666 February 18, 2018 at 4:18 pm

Remember:
“You campaign in poetry,
you govern in prose.”

Clearly the ppp is in campaign mode, identical to the pnc/afc pre 2015.