Latest update December 12th, 2024 1:00 AM
We gained Independence then lost it to China
Mr Editor,
I do not know if you wish to treat this as a letter but I do hope that you would find the space to publish it somehow.
I have just returned from a four day trip to Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie in northern Ontario, Canada. The purpose of the trip was to enjoy the array of color that exists there at this time of year.
The trip was an education and a tremendous experience. It also gave me an opportunity to compare and contrast those towns with Guyana. I am not a Guyanese but have made several visits in the last fifty years.
Some of the similarities I noted are: (1) very large expanse of land, (2) heavily wooded: (3) rivers and waterfalls: (4) lots of small streams.
The main differences: (a) climate, (b) infrastructural development.
Guyana does not have the capacity to undertake any major infrastructural projects at this time, however, with sound and proper leadership, much can be accomplished with small bites at the cherry.
The first thing that must be done is to get out of the clutches of the IMF. I am no economist so I cannot say how that may be achieved. I am an accountant (CPA, CMA.)
With an official exchange rate of Guyana $200 = US $1.00, there is more chance for a snowball surviving in hell than for the economy to ever make any serious improvement.
Just about everything required to undertake infrastructural work must be imported, more often than not, with US currency.
At the present rate of exchange, this is prohibitive. With the country exporting gold, diamonds, bauxite, rice and very soon, oil, they are earning lots of hard currency (US dollars). They should, theoretically, be able to import some of the developmental requirements.
The leaders of the country have to put the country before self.
The previous administration took advantage of the people and it appears, to me, as if this one is doing the same thing and keeping the people in ignorance.
It appears as if major contracts are being negotiated to the benefit of the politicians and not the country.
From all reports, several one sided contracts are being concluded and the President seems to be taking a hands off approach and refusing to explain anything to the country.
The oil contracts seem to be very one-sided and although questions are being asked, no answers are being received. Part of that is the oil companies have skilled negotiators who negotiate for a living whereas the Guyanese team lack the knowledge and skill required to do the job.
The Minister or politician cannot match skills with those people and is out of his/depth and may accept pittance and walk away believing they got a good deal.
Consideration should be given to the possibility of employing skilled negotiators for such contractual work. The benefits will most definitely exceed the cost.
Another concern is the reliance on China to help in the development of the country. China has a history of exploiting Africa and most recently, Caribbean countries and I am afraid soon from now, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Barbados will be colonies of China.
We got our independence from Great Britain only to lose it to China. Very, very sad.
Caribbean leaders must stop saying “it can’t happen to me” and take the steps to ensure that it won’t.
I am certain that Kaieteur News has done numerous articles on the Chinese colonization strategy but it seems as if no one is listening. Guyanese, wake up before it is too late.
A. S. Welch, CPA, CMA
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