Press presentations – a study in contrasts 

Mar 08, 2025 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

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Hard Truths…

By GHK Lall

Kaieteur News- Exxon’s Guyana President, Mr. Alistair Routledge had a press showing recently.  It was my second opportunity listening to him, even though it was only a short clip.  Something became apparent immediately.  This was a man in full control of himself; someone who has that rare ability to disguise his disdain and play the propaganda game.  Exxon’s.  What a contrast Mr. Routledge is, when our own dear Drs. Ali and Jagdeo are lined up next to him.

Both Excellencies Ali and Jagdeo can be rowdy, snarling, exuding menace.  Dr. Routledge has his own tonics: reserve, calm, and a Santa Claus in a suit (and in February to boot) charm.  Think of a shark.  Some men don’t have to shout to represent their interests.  They hold their ground, even under sustained fire.  Ali and Jagdeo imagine wildfires, when all that there is to question is someone lighting a candle.  Presidents Ali and Jagdeo can be raw and rank in their press engagements.  President Routledge is serious as the flu, and just as severe.  The two Guyanese hotshots (at least they have so convinced themselves) could learn from a master of self-control in tough circumstances.  I heard him use words that expressed his superciliousness, his withering condescension, without a raised eyebrow, or raising a sweat.  A swift aside, anytime that one country is governed by three presidents, that is a recipe for the unimaginable.  It was what President Routledge delivered in his turn at the microphone.

The issue before the man from Exxon was taxes.  He used the following phrase: “a bit of confusion” on the matter, as it pertains to Guyana, and what it is collecting.  To my fellow Guyanese, learn this from me: “confusion” as used by a guarded oilman is a synonym for pretension or perversion.  When used by an impatient, arrogant captain of oil commerce, “confusion” is a slang for a cloven-hoofed creature with ears like that of a bat, and a tail longer than an anaconda.  Guyanese who think highly of this American Caesar are free to pick the one that is less offensive, more endearing to their docile, slave conditioned minds.  As derogation goes, “confusion” on taxes, when spilled from the mind of Mr. Routledge, is nothing but the ultimate in diplomatic dismissal.

He then proceeded to push his next chess piece before an unsuspecting Guyanese public.  Exxon does pay taxes.  Yessir!  But a man as sophisticated as the Exxon Guyana President should not lower his dignity by descending to the level of subterfuge, burlesque.  When Guyanese talk about taxes, ask questions about taxes, and press for a percentage of taxes, they do not have in mind withholding taxes, or Sales Tax (VAT), or other taxes.  They are talking about corporate taxes at the current 25% rate that Mr. Routledge was gracious enough to let pass his lips.  Impressive, I must say, that the man who is Exxon’s Supreme Commander of Oil in the Gulf of Guyana (they have changed that yet, have they?) is familiar with something as mundane as Guyana’s 25% corporate tax rate.  Sneaky, sir, sneaky.  Frankly, I will take that 15% minimum that the reputable and influential OECD (Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development) has put on the table and which America’s President Joe Biden (remember him?) gave an approving nod.

When Master Routledge squeezed in his spiel about Exxon paying GY$49.5 billion in withholding taxes to the GRA, I found that richer than sugar-loaded cheesecake.  In case Mr. Rouledge forgot to remember, I do him the favor.  The burning question is corporate taxes not paid by Exxon, and not withholding taxes deposited at the GRA.  A man smarter than Solomon must know that the payment of corporate taxes into Guyana’s coffers is not a one-or-the-other situation.  It is one AND the other.  Since Alistair the Great dumbed down himself to deal with unruly natives, I help restore him to his regular glory.  Exxon must be made to see the light in paying corporate taxes AND withholding taxes.

Payment of corporate taxes is one of the glaring areas that the boisterous Guyana headman, and the cantankerous Guyana oil czar should manifest fearlessness to get changed.  Instead of working furiously, but futilely, at trying to beat stupidity into the heads of Guyanese, payment of corporate taxes is where their fight is.  Foaming at the mouth doesn’t deter any serious citizen, Excellencies Ali and Jagdeo.  Such performances are water on a duck’s back, for Guyanese who are not fazed by leaders playing Crazy Eddie (Vinny “the Chin” Gigante).  Save breath and energy, Drs. A and J (sounds like a comedy duo -Bud and Lou), to confront Exxon and not patriotic Guyanese.  Learn from Mr. Alistair, Mr. Ali.  Go easy on the savagery; try some civility.  Here is one that should appeal to the Confederate hearts of Exxon’s generals.  There was a Confederate Civil War commander with the heavy-duty name of P.G.T. Beauregard.  He was given bad hands, but still managed to display the stuff of genius with them.  Throwing in the towel, and displaying childish tantrums, were useless to his side.  He fought with his all with what he had.  No surrender.  No sanctity of the other side’s cause.  Another lesson for Excellency Ali.

(Press presentations – a study in contrasts )

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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• Drs. Ali and Jagdeo, Exxon’s Guyana President, Guyanese, hard truths, Mr. Alistair Routledge

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