Where are the nationalists on oil?

Nov 22, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

During the anti colonial struggle in the 1950s and 1960s, the political leaders lambasted the (British) imperial powers (colonizers) for exploiting the nation and not paying their fair share in taxes and for not contributing to the development of the colony.
The foreigners (the White man) were described as blood suckers, vampires draining the resources of the colony without much benefit to the population. The imperialists and local agents were condemned. The local authorities were called stooges of the imperialists and were condemned for facilitating exploitation of Guyanese.
We have been independent for over fifty years. What has changed? We have our own rulers? The white man is no longer ruling us. Who is sucking the blood of the people today? Who are the vampires now sucking the blood of our people? Is the white man in charge of running the government?
Who negotiated 2%, 1%, 0% and negative percent royalties from the oil? Who gave away our resources for virtually nothing? Who is withholding progress and development?
I doubt very much that the colonial rulers (the white man) would have given away our resources at less than 2% royalties if they were still in charge of our country or with Guyana as a colony. The white rulers would have been more generous and patriotic and demanded the global trend in royalties of a minimum 14% and no deductions of unrelated expenses or amnesty for taxes.
If the colonizers had given away our resources at less than 2% royalties or all the other perks and privileges, all hell would have broken loose. Where are the nationalists today? Why aren’t they speaking out against our exploitation? Why is it that only a handful of us are standing up for our country’s rights to the natural resources and a fair share of royalties and profits?
People are demanding a fair share in royalties. Nationalists must speak out.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram

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