Withdraw your appeal of the Court’s decisions which serves to protect Guyana

May 12, 2023 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – It was during his weekly Facebook programme “Issues in the News” when the AG said the aforementioned and explained that: “we (government) have to recognise what is in the nation’s best interest and act accordingly as we were elected to do and that we are doing in every one of our policy, endeavours and implementations.”

The PPP was voted out of office in 2015 over 30,000 PPP supporters crossed over and this was mainly because of the corruption and the fact that you guys seem to feel you now possess the repertoire of all knowledge. It seems to have made you guys feel infallible. A lot of us were hoping that the exit from office forced by the people of this county would have taught the PPP a lesson but apparently you guys have not learnt. Don’t take the people for granted. The Boogeyman PNC is not going to help you. Their conduct at the last elections have assured of that. Bear in mind you are the guardian of our resources, our environment and the people will not allow you to continue acting as if it all belong to you.

With regards to the extraction of crude you guys fought Glen Lall in the courts on behalf of EXXON. This caused voters to commence wondering whose interests you really represent. The recent court ruling that Exxon has to take full responsibility for the clean up in the event of an oil spill, you dare to appeal. We elected you to run our affairs, to protect us, to protect our environment and now you appeal a decision by our courts that would ensure our protection, that would ensure funds are made available to clean up our environment in the event of an oil spill.

Nandlall said that the environmental permit does not impose any obligation for the Parent or affiliate company to provide unlimited Guarantee. Well, the Court is saying in keeping with its mandate it has to. It seems you and your government have a problem with that thus I question your patriotism and your allegiance. Mr. Minister if indeed it does not and it should have then the head and Chairman of the EPA and the entire board should be fired as they have not acted to protect our environment in keeping with their mission. Gross negligence or some other factors?

According to the press, in response to criticism that the government is anti-nationalistic Nandlall said “our government is as nationalistic and as patriotic as they come and we have a track record in the People’s Progressive Party, we have a track record of nationalistic conduct and patriotic behaviour and postures.”  I would conclude that considering their attitude and actions re Exxon It is mainly “postures” He said, “So I’m not too worried about those allegations.” Of course not, he seems to believe that all the Guyanese people are sheepish and that that fear of the PNC would always work. Mr. AG do not take us for granted.

According to the press Nandlall said that although the contract was skewed, a gross understatement, the country was still able to reap benefits and “is where it is now because of the oil and gas industry.” Did you guys not know that when you were screaming how the Coalition sold us out? Why did you guys not thank the coalition for signing the contract that have, as you said, facilitated where we are now?

You guys are suddenly comfortable with the contract. You speak of the sanctity of the contract. Sir, did you guys in your election promises not have a contract with the Guyanese electorate. Where is the sanctity of that contract? You proposed and we accepted by signing on the ballot papers. You see sanctity of contract with EXXON but no sanctity re contracts made with the Guyanese people.

Even if it is not easy to renegotiate the expert at Chatham House says the company would have to keep coming to us asking for things and these opportunities could and should be used to make gains.

Instead of doing that we expedite the environmental permits that are grossly inadequate and when the court so rules you guys appeal the decisions.  How can the electorate trust you guys to continue safeguarding Guyana?

Nandlall said, “Apparently there is a group of persons in Guyana that want to see us in a perpetual state of poverty. They are now objecting to us exploiting our oil reserves and gas reserves… and we must continue to be cane cutters and rice farmers and we must not graduate out of that level.”

This is just nothing but emotional ranting and demonstrates that Nandlall has no real defense of the great betrayal of the Guyanese people by his government. When you guys in the PPP were shouting and foaming at the mouth when the PNC signed the contract, were you guys guilty of what you now accuse others of?

You guys opened back the estates, so, were you thinking of producing sugar without cane cutters, weeders etc. Suggestions were put forward to allocate plots of land to the workers. Why did you guys not do that so they can become independent and cease to be cane cutters and weeders?

Nandlall said, “…neighbouring countries have been pumping oil for 100 years, which enabled them to enrich themselves and their people, “and the world did not come to an end.” Well the first part ,”enabling themselves”, is true there and here but not the second. Nigeria 85m in poverty, Botswana, 24% Ghana 50%, Guyana 40%. It is how the contracts are written, how the government deal with the companies and how the peoples’ money is spent.

The VP claimed we have the strongest laws but it only has steep penalty if the Finance Minister does not inform us of how much is withdrawn not how it is spent and this is the huge elephant in the room.

I wrote two letters in the Press in the KN dated 2023-04-30, captioned, “We need to question our leaders more about the oil sector” and the other in the Stabroek News dated May 9th 2023 and captioned “How can this contract possess any sanctity”.

Honourable Nandlall please read and give a public response to my letters. Please point out if I am wrong and why? Just remember, one oil spill and even the crumbs this government is suddenly satisfied with will be washed away. Withdraw your appeal of the Court’s decisions which serves to protect Guyana and the Guyanese people. Remember you guys have a one seat majority. Exxon does not vote.

Sincerely
Rajendra Bisessar
BSC Sociology, LLB

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