A glimpse at how oil powers operate

Jan 10, 2022 Editorial

Kaieteur News – A few months ago, in one of our front-page comments, we identified four things that multinational companies do in host countries to ensure that they have a lock on the commodity that is plentiful there. Because there is great demand for that commodity, with enormous profits to be reaped, these powerful multinationals which include the big oil companies, have perfected a certain strategy that guarantees they walk away with the fruits of fabulous treasures in poor, unsophisticated Third World countries. As we revisit what we had shared as our front-page comment, we ask Guyanese to think for themselves. To determine whether this is what may not be going on right now, and right before their eyes.
To elaborate, we said in our comment that the corporate powers, global behemoths all, do these four things. First, they manipulate and compromise, buy over and control the local political powers. Second, they woo and win over the local elite (legal, professional, commercial). Third, they set the warring people against one another, and keep them that way, using the local political powers that they control. Fourth, while the peoples are consumed with what they have known all their lives, which is mainly poverty and the neighbour who is their enemy, they fetch away the local riches. In the end, the country is left denuded, citizens poorer and more hopeless, and elites incredibly rich.
Today, we focus on the first of the four prongs in the modus operandi of the oil companies right here in Guyana. It is what is occurring in one huge segment of our political apparatus. It surrounds the uncertainties, indeed the looming controversy, of who is to be the Leader of the Opposition. As we address this issue to expose how oil companies function, we are in no way getting involved in the business of Guyana’s current opposition. We have no preference, one way or another, of who should or should not be the leader. But if there is a leader, who is about the Guyanese people and getting the best for us for our oil, then he is worth a thought, some space, and a few words.
From all indications, both the ruling political powers and their foreign oil partners are very nervous about the potential of one of the names caught up in the throes of the leadership fight.
He has signalled a new militancy and a determination to represent the people. Remember, they all say that, and there is another thing they say about politicians: all cats are grey in the dark.
But whether he means it or not, can marshal enough people muscle to confront both government and foreign oil people, the people whose applecart could be upset or at least slowed down by his tactics and rhetoric, are not taking any chances. Of course, their voiceprints and fingerprints are nowhere around such local matters regarding who should be the leader.
Yet there is this delay, this hesitancy, this resistance, that makes many Guyanese ask themselves what is going on, and why this is so.
These internal contests occur from time to time, but they are usually not so visible and do not have much meaning to the wider population. Still, in this instance, there is the appearance of one who has already made it clear where he stands, and that alone is causing much consternation in both local ruling circles and at watchful foreign heights. We say it again. They do not want to be caught napping, in being complacent and telling themselves that it means nothing and is business as usual.
Thus, he must be stopped, and they will use whatever means and human agencies that are available and willing to neutralise or thwart someone who could pose a significant threat to the smooth road and express passage that have been the hallmarks of the oil business in Guyana. For a vibrant Opposition Leader of a different kind to be allowed to take centre stage and get in the way of how business has been done, generates huge uneasiness. Therefore, he must be stopped by any means necessary.
Fellow Guyanese, is this what could be at work in oil rich Guyana?

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A glimpse at how oil powers operate

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