Listen to the cries of protesters, oil and gas were meant to bring hope to the destitute, not riches for foreign companies and Government operatives

Feb 17, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor

Kaieteur News – As important folks were giving lofty speeches about “sustainable development,” “low carbon strategies,” and some of them were wining and dining and their expenses will be covered under the oil companies expense claims to be paid by Guyanese taxpayers, our politicians must always remember that it’s always about the little people, living hand to mouth, and praying to God that they can make it through the day. (Isn’t God great? He was the master architect of low carbon strategies. He put some rain forests in Guyana. Now our politicians have appropriated it and call it low carbon development strategy, and want to claim credit for being smart).
As rich folks were having their “Conference” about energy, and police were keeping watch, a group of chanting working class people were holding up placards and shouting slogans hoping that our leaders and the world community would listen to their cries. They hoped our leaders would ask the Exxon boss to renegotiate the oil contract, but their hopes were dashed.
Their signs and chants included: “We must have change;” “What do we demand – change;” “When do we want change –now;” “We will not get tired, until we have change;” “We would never give up, Guyanese want benefits from oil;” “A day will come when all the police and everybody out there will join us;” “Change the contract now; ”“Your leaders are corrupt and sold us out for nothing;” “The oil belongs to Guyanese not Exxon/HESS/CNOOC;” “Exxon making billions, Guyanese get crumbs,” “Stop paying Exxon Mobil tax.”
Clearly Mr. Glenn Lall, Kaieteur News and articles in the Stabroek News educating the people that Guyana has the rottenest oil deal of any country in the world, are resonating with the masses and gaining traction. The “masses are not asses,” as politicians sometimes feel. Those folks in the picket line do not believe the government playing Santa Claus and handing out the occasional cheap hampers would make their lives better. The working poor want structural changes which can produce a living wage; improvements in health, housing, water, roads, education, flood control, crime control, etc. They want social security programs that cater for the vulnerable – minimum wage workers, pensioners, single parents, widows and widowers, subsistence gardeners, housewives, security guards, fishermen, retail store workers, taxi drivers, self-employed, etc.
The people also understand that the PNC signed a bad deal, and that the PPP is okay with that. Can the PPP explain to the nation why they have not, as yet launched a Commission of Enquiry on how the bad contract was signed? Who told Mr. Trotman to sign? Why? Did Trotman sign under duress? Can the PPP explain why they did not hold mass protests after they discovered the contract was signed? Who in the PPP told the Exxon boss they would not renegotiate the contract, during the election? Who in the PNC told the Exxon boss they would not renegotiate the contract?
One of the protesters said, “A day will come when all the police and everybody out there will join us.” I believe that. Those working-class people are asking questions about who is benefitting from our natural resource wealth, and will vote in 2025. It’s not farfetched that an emerging Third Force can capture their imagination. “It’s Our Country, Our Wealth,” and we must care. Wake up Guyana!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jerry Jailall

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Listen to the cries of protesters, oil and gas were meant to bring hope to the destitute, not riches for foreign companies and Government operatives

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