Fourth oil project was a foregone conclusion

Apr 03, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

I don’t know why, but some Guyanese seem surprised that the Fourth oil project – aka Yellowtail – has been given the go ahead. It was obvious that after all the noise, objections, wranglings that it was going to happen, regardless of who said what, or what kind of reasoned representation, or who stood up and publicly damned any favourable consideration of the project to kingdom come. As I saw it, this 4th oil project, the biggest to date, was a foregone conclusion, a done deal, other than for the public announcement, smiles, handshakes, and self-congratulation of the President and the Vice President.
With Guyanese leaders of their uneven stripe, it could not have been anything but approval, and that was from the moment it surfaced, notwithstanding all the fooling around, the gimmickries. It is why I appeal to my fellow Guyanese: cut the crap, get on with life, recognise the environment and the national betrayals that we have for leaders, who celebrate another collaboration that enriches Exxon and its shareholders, as well as selected Guyanese cronies of this PPP/C Government and its leaders. Guyanese must move on, as they have always done. That is, unless they find it in themselves to move on the people who sell them out, by getting in their faces, and blocking their way. I have my doubts.
Editor, this is the story of our oil, of Guyana itself. All the wealth we have, and the lessons that we should have learned from the mistakes made along the way are for nothing. Remember that one? And how this 4th project could be used for leverage, through astute leadership strength, and wise bargaining? It was all a waste of time and breath, a joke if you ask me. The deed was done, and the deal was sealed from day one, it was just going through the motions, the farce of Vice-Presidential communications (he is very good at that), the pretense of public consultations (another sham), the mockery of useless stakeholder involvement. Stakeholders, which ones? The only ones that counted are the foreigners doing their best publicly not to smirk and gloat, drool and dribble, so overcome they are with the patsies and pushovers.
Because of their absolute lack of principle, ethical rot, bankruptcy of standing, or any love for this country and its peoples, other people are rapturous with delight. The people at Duke Street must be overjoyed, though it was foregone for them, and despite them working diligently to appear disconnected and neutral. Similarly, those in Texas and Washington would be ecstatic with delirious joy at the prospects of the ripe young maiden that is Guyana and its oil to be ravaged some more. This is how our national leaders pimp themselves and prostitute this nation’s innocence, its proven oil allures. It is why the predators love them and protect them. I study how long that will stay intact.
Meanwhile, in the ghettos of Guyana, the barrios of Agricola and Albouystown and Aishalton, they will send a young man from the biggest slum in this country (parliament) with money so that depressed residents can buy a smoke or a shot and be contented for a time. The President will do better and massage minimum wage toilers with an open-air market temporarily to soothe their wounds. The Vice President will slink away to some dark media hole to beat his breast proudly, and speak boldly about how well he is doing for Guyana with this oil. Really sir! This is how much Guyana’s leaders have lost touch with reality and the dreams of the people.
The President and Vice President bend over backward, sprawl themselves in total prostration, for the corporate barbarians that come here to pillage this land, and sow salt in its soil and prospects, just like they did in Carthage millennia ago. They are not demonised as destroyers anymore; partners they call them. It should be noticed that I totally dismiss the Hon Minister of Natural Resources for he doesn’t count (poor fella), other than for photo ops and to do baggage duties. Now there is a Fourth oil project, and it is tally ho and cheerio and bottoms up. This is the upside-down world that is Guyana, and we are supposed to love it, and dance on our heads for it. Welcome to America’s 51st state. Guyana is now confirmed once again as wholly owned subsidiary of Exxon.

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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Fourth oil project was a foregone conclusion

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