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Why is it necessary for ExxonMobil to throw its weight and dollars around in this manner?
Dear Editor,
As a Guyanese citizen, I have tried to ignore the whole Oil and Gas scenario and leave it to the politicians to manage. But they do not seem to be doing very well at all. I am not sure why I expected them to do well, considering the record of Guyanese politicians. The consequence of leaving things to the politicians is that ExxonMobil seems to be bulldozing the country. They are everywhere. Why is it necessary for this company to throw its weight and dollars around in this manner? I know there is a concept of corporate responsibility but what is happening in Guyana is too much too soon. Now the whole country is aware that money has been thrown at Conservation International. This is unpardonable and reeks of corruption. Is ExxonMobil going to go after the Church next? Can all of us be bought? Why does ExxonMobil need to buy everyone and every organisation? They are like a giant octopus sitting on us and spreading its big fat tentacles across the land. The only reason for a corporation to behave in this manner is that they want to control people, organisations and ultimately, the government. And this is a very bad start, because, at its core, it is an attack on sovereignty. What they should be doing is very simple: negotiating a fair deal with the Guyanese people through the Guyana Government.
I think it is time that we Guyanese wake up and start paying attention because if this trend continues, then it is the people of this country who will ultimately suffer since a giant corporation will wish to protect its interests by influencing elections and interfering in domestic politics. This doomsday scenario can be avoided by strong political leadership. Guyanese should be in control of this process of managing our oil and gas resources. Alas, it is becoming clear that our Government, weak on strategic planning and policy formulation from the start, lacks the intellect, the confidence and resourcefulness to effectively negotiate with this corporation or to prepare an adequate policy and management framework. All indications are that the government is allowing ExxonMobil to influence its policy formulation.
Why can’t we get anything right? Where is the principled leadership in this country? Why are we failing so miserably in Guyana? Is it corruption or incompetence or both?
Concerned Citizen.
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