Guyana’s Oil Revenue – A Simple Futuristic Vision for a Modern nation

Aug 07, 2019 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,

Below are some of my suggestions and deliberations on Guyana’s Oil Wealth and the way forward for a prosperous and United Guyana for all.
1. First, and of utmost importance, we need a hydroelectric power plant – in this way the cost of everyday necessity expenses moves downwards. For example, we must be made to pay 10% for electricity, water, internet, on what we are paying now, and able to afford air conditioning, electric stove for cooking etc., to drastically improve our living conditions at a very low cost. Electricity is the utmost power, not man, regardless of the fact that man made optimum use of it.
2. Three solid structures – bridges across the three main rivers – Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo. This helps with integration and is faster for movement of goods and services, and access to more lands. Government still has to collect tolls on these bridges, but a small amount reasonable to the citizenry of Guyana.
3. Our own oil refinery, so we can maximise on oil revenue by way of transparency and by-products.
4. All-weather roads from Georgetown to Lethem and from Crabwood Creek to Orealla
5. A piece of land free of all charges and expenses to be given to every Guyanese, between the ages of 18 and 60, who is living here permanently and who doesn’t own a transport title. This must be a priority and urgently done.
6. Duty free concession for a vehicle to be given to each Guyanese citizen living here, between the ages of 18 and 60 – one concession in their lifetime, regardless of vehicle size and engine capacity.
7. Borders to be properly secured, with stringent measures put in place. This should be a top priority on the list of security measures.
8. An agricultural hub – this is most important, for after oil money we want a piece of fertile Guyana where you create a smart agricultural hub for produce strictly for export markets, with the highest technology for cattle, poultry, crops, manufacturing assembly plants etc. We must create for this part of Guyana we choose, to have access to Air, Sea and Land transportation.
This modern agricultural hub with its plants etc., must cater for 400,000 workers when completed and handed over to Guyanese graduates to own, operate and manage. Guyanese can pay back for it by way of arrangement with government. Government must concentrate on collecting taxes, not on owning, managing or running any business.
Lastly on agriculture, most nations built their foundations on agriculture since ancient times – before anyone dreamt of oil – and now our world population is growing at a fast rate, we have seven billion of us and growing on planet earth. We will have more and more mouths to feed.
There is no substitute for freshly grown food, but now there are a lot of renewable energy sources springing up – solar, wind, hydroelectric dams, electric vehicles and so on, so in time fossil fuel will be obsolete. We have to utilize the money in that direction for a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren and future generations to come.
9. National assembly members should be young – let young, fresh and active brains take over. Those over 60 should retire to enjoy their golden years ahead and reminisce on past achievements.
10. The President of Guyana should be able to run for more than two terms – this should left open, let the citizenry decide by their vote.
11. Income tax should reduced to 10% this people will have more spending power and put more energy and zest into the population.
12. Scholarships must be given to the 100 top students every year – every single penny must be paid by the state until they finish their studies and return to Guyana and commence work here with the state for a specific time determined by the state.
13. Banks and more foreign banking institutions should be encouraged to invest in Guyana. More competition is good for the people of Guyana – lower interest rates and other benefits etc.
14. Rehabilitation of all public buildings into concrete structures.
15. Build the bridge between Guyana and Suriname – this will be the final connectivity in the hemisphere
16. The remaining oil blocks that are not being tendered out shall remain till the government formulates an agreement that is both conducive to all parties – the government, the potential tenants, and mainly the Guyanese populace
With all these things implemented, I believe Guyanese will have a life worth living and a land of paradise on earth given our meagre population with the enormous wealth in its path. Furthermore, Guyanese will not need any cash incentive or hand out from oil money, they will become self-sufficient and independent gradually.
Whichever government implements these hard core projects has a vision for Guyana, and with these measures, the benefits of oil prosperity will trickle down to each and every single Guyanese living here – you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to comprehend this.
Sarvanand J. Persaud

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