Strength when in opposition, feebleness when leading

Oct 02, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

I follow the conclusion of Payara and arrive at this place. There was an inevitability to expectations. I sensed that matters would pan out in the normal manner. Well, they did again, which tells me, and those who think in this nation, that our prospects peter out when left to weak and compromised political leaders.
When the PPP was in opposition it was all big talk about what should have been done with our oil, where the PNC failed (it did), and how much better it could and would have done. Big talk when in opposition requires the big walk of that big talk when in government. It was time for PPP leaders to deliver on all the big talk about oil in general, and Payara specifically. How it should have been used as leverage. How PPP leaders could have turned the tables on ExxonMobil and braced it against an unyielding wall that held it to ransom, instead of the company maintaining its unrelenting stranglehold on us.
Give a wee bit more. Ease up on costs. Add some infrastructure and education and commercial (local content, not just for already comfortably aligned and set Guyanese Establishment presences) pluses that point to the promising that comes from genuine partnering. Together, be innovative on how to go around hard contract provisions and create some financial rooms for Guyana. Figure out ‘step-ups’ and sweeteners that make for billions in US dollars in add-ons and give Guyanese hope.
But instead of squeezing Exxon to get some of that, the President was keen and content in telling Guyanese to expect “trillions” in the future (SN, October 1). Trillions definitely have a resonance about them, but on what basis? A review of Payara that should have occupied many long months by well-qualified people, took a fraction of that time with less than the best representing Guyana’s interests? Whose interests took precedence when this sham of a review was conducted?
The president – relatively young in years, but as old as time in ways not constructive – has manifested before a facility with words that are fulsome but frail in output. He is about much talk but ‘maaagah deliverables. The Payara signing furnishes powerful proof of his fascination with saying the right thing but representing nothing. He and his sidekick had Exxon by the alleyway, but both failed at nailing it to the wall. They have done well with what must be satisfying to not just Exxon, but the US Ambassador and her bosses in Washington. No Guyanese should be unclear anymore about who is calling the shots in this beholden country.
Returning to the US Ambassador for a minute, I recognize a tireless worker for her country’s priorities, which is the way it should be. Where are our leaders doing the same for us? Her Excellency did speak of more visitors from the US coming here to register presence, interest, and partnership. Though it is not her place to provide specifics, I step forward to fill the breach and present clarity.
Those coming would include the likes of Bechtel and Schlumberger and the many other big money capitalists that drool uncontrollably over Guyana. They have plans for us and our oil. If PPP leaders are not up to the task to deal with Exxon, and clearly they were not, then they do not stand a ghost of a chance with the pirates and predators from Wall Street, which would include Goldman Sachs and others of that illustrious (or notorious) band of brothers.
I will say this here and now: neither the president nor the Vice President nor the natural resources placeholder can hold their own with those swashbucklers. The Vice President is Guyana’s best bet, but only if he has Guyana’s best interests at heart. In my opinion that is one hell of a big if. So, we mosey on with more promises from politicians that rarely deliver (the PNC didn’t) and keep our fingers crossed. As for me, I see through them, don’t believe them, don’t trust them, big talk and all. And that includes every political presence in this town.
Last, I used to look at Nigeria and Iraq and even Venezuela and shake my head in disagreement at the futility of them all, especially the sectarian and grassroots upheavals. Not anymore! Not with leaders like those in the PPP and the PNC (which is serenely quiet and distant on oil), who deliver this country on a platter to those so demanding. This is how headless we are on oil.

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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