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Patriotic Guyanese unrelenting in call for a better oil deal
By Davina Bagot
Some of the patriotic Guyanese who protested for a better oil deal during the past week
Kaieteur News – Protestors this past week braved rainy weather and scorching sun to demand their fair share from the lopsided oil contract, signed in 2016 between the Guyana Government and United States oil major, ExxonMobil.
The activists had commenced their public demonstration at the Square of the Revolution, popularly referred to as the Cuffy monument, prior to the renewal of the Liza One Permit renewal, about two weeks ago. Since then, they have maintained their call for a better deal, as the country’s political leaders have ignored repeated appeals from international experts in the field to use the permit renewal to rake in better terms.
On Friday, weather patterns were favourable to the protestors who chanted throughout the morning “we want a better deal.” Attracting motorists with their bells and placards, the picketers urged: “The whole world is standing up for Guyana, let’s stand up for ourselves today.”
A mother sheltered her toddler, who appeared to be just a few weeks old, from the blazing afternoon sun as she too demanded a better deal for her children. Some passersby waved and gave thumbs up to the protestors, while some honked their horns in solidarity.
“The oil companies are robbing our kids’ futures,” one placard read while another outlined that the oil operations are killing the economy as fishermen and farmers continue to face hardships.
The picket line on Friday grew from earlier in the week, as scores of persons turned out to support the call. One elderly woman told Kaieteur News that a few years ago, a Canadian company came to Guyana to exploit the country’s gold resources, but the administration at the time did not allow the operations and had ordered the company to pack up and leave. She insisted that the government of the day, as well as the Opposition take a stand against the ‘bullyism’ currently to avoid Guyana from becoming another Africa. The woman complained too that gas prices have seen an increase, further impacting the cost of living with nothing of benefit being done for the population at large.
Championing the calls for a better deal is Kaieteur News Publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, who Friday said that the oil companies, Hess in particular, only this week boasted of the sweet benefits the company is reaping in Guyana. However, the businessman argued that Guyanese in return are not enjoying the fruits from its own riches, which is being carted off by the foreign companies. He encouraged Guyanese to demand more for their children’s future by coming out to protest.
Further to that, he said that the country’s leaders are boasting of projected growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but it is the foreigners again who really benefit. Lall argued, “In 2019, they say Guyana is growing at 45 percent. Did anyone of you get 45 cents? In 2021, they said we grew by 20 percent. Did any Guyanese get anything?” A new report come out, today only, it’s in the newspapers. They say how Guyana is set to grow 47 percent. What growth we talking about? For who? Yes, it’s growing for the White man and their country and their families. What you Brown, Black and Purple people getting in this country?”
Meanwhile, earlier in the week protesters stood their ground amidst intermittent showers of rainfall as a result of the tropical wave that hovered over Guyana. The overcast skies did not deter the protester from demanding a change to the oil contract as they were decked out in raincoats, umbrellas and even long boots.
The protest will continue into the new week from 10 am to 12 noon.
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