Glenn Lall fails to see that Guyanese will not come out for more from oil, because it will not come to them

Jul 03, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – In often trying to goad Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton to stage public protests and other political actions for a new oil contract, Glenn Lall and his newspaper seem blind to a certain reality (see KN editorial of 1 July 2023, for example). Mr Lall fails to see that the Guyanese people will never come out in numbers to demand a renegotiated contract under the PPP because they know they will never benefit meaningfully from any additional revenues should such renegotiation succeed.

As I stated in a letter to KN on June 6th (titled ‘Most Guyanese see no better life in a fair oil contract.’): “If citizens were to be asked in a poll tomorrow, ‘Do you think you or your family would enjoy a better life should Guyana get a better oil deal?’ about 90% of respondents would say “No.” I then concluded: “Many citizens therefore see no benefit in giving more than moral support to the well-intentioned campaign for a new oil contract. Guyanese are not going to protest in their tens of thousands for more oil revenues under an uncaring, anti-poor, corrupt, and incompetent PPP government.” Mass action against ExxonMobil (if necessary) for a better contract would be likely only when people are convinced that more royalties and other benefits would largely end up in their purses and wallets. This mindset is totally understandable. Why is Glenn Lall finding it hard to grasp the reality of this basic psychology – this basic kitchen-table economics?

The Opposition Leader, therefore, is frankly telling it as it is. Renegotiation will have to await a new government that accepts its necessity, that puts people first, and in which the people themselves have trust and confidence. These conditions do not exist now under the PPP.

Meanwhile, Mr Glenn Lall and his newspaper should fully direct their advocacy towards the government not only for its total resistance to renegotiation but for its failure to spend the oil revenues in hand (billions of US dollars) to reduce the cost of living and lift the low living standards of ordinary Guyanese.

Respectfully,
Sherwood Lowe

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Aubrey Norton, n often trying to goad Opposition Leader, These conditions do not exist now under the PPP, Why is Glenn Lall finding it hard to grasp

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