There is a lot that first needs to be accomplished to drive national development

Oct 15, 2025 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Spending $2 Billion to $3 Billion USD on a data center while the basic needs of the country have not been fully addressed is not in our nation’s best interest. These funds can have a significant positive impact on drainage and irrigation, which continues to be a major problem along the coast; food costs continue to rise, the water system continues to be in dire need of improvement; and most importantly the electricity provided to our citizens continues to be undependable.

CRG can appreciate the enthusiasm of our young President, but he must remember to fix what is fundamental before reaching for investment opportunities that are less competitive than the alternatives available to those investors. Cold weather locations continue to be the preference for the data centers because of the cost advantages, and the professional expertise that has been gained due to the high concentration of data centers at these locations. In addition, our rice farmers and the sugar industry continue to struggle; and the bauxite industry and the gold sector have not transitioned to value added products.

The priorities for our nation must continue to be the meeting of our fundamental needs for safety, healthcare, food, shelter, education, and clean-living conditions. We need police officers, doctors, nurses, teachers, and engineers first and foremost. Let’s spend this money on the investments needed to fix the current shortages we have in key areas before spending $Billions of USD on projects that do not quickly recoup the investment and that do not quickly improve the lives of our citizens. Investments being made in infrastructure need to continue in areas that address sea defence concerns due to rising sea levels; in areas that provide dependable electricity; in areas that allow for clean drinking water to be delivered to every home; and in areas that will make the flow of drainage consistent and our irrigation systems effective.

When funds are being contemplated for investment in sectors where Guyana cannot gain a competitive advantage and the return on investment is unacceptable, we must ensure that our leaders regain focus on the key issues that will foster stronger future investment and development. Morocco has been successful in achieving national development due to improved infrastructure and substantial foreign direct investments that are linked to new trade deals. Our government has a similar opportunity but has yet to exploit it. Our young Nation needs the trade deals with other countries necessary to further develop and sustain the growth trajectory which we are currently on. Our lumber should propel us into the furniture industry; our gold should propel us into the jewelry industry; our bauxite should propel us further into the oil & gas sector, and the automotive and aerospace industry; our sugar should propel us further into the spirits industry; our virgin land should propel us into the organic food industry; and our new financial strength should propel us in the financial sector via investments and a strengthening banking sector.

Where are the trade agreements for these opportunities? Where are the investments to support the growth that our resources can be leveraged to provide? These are opportunities within our reach, and these are opportunities where we can become very competitive and profitable. Our President and his cabinet must place additional focus on what Guyana can achieve with what it has in terms of Natural and Human Resources while also ensuring that their ambitions closely align with the needs of our citizens. This approach must be preferred instead of pursuits which are popular in the media but can result in substantial monetary waste and a lower return on our resources.

Let’s also not forget that where there are super expensive projects there are also high levels of corruption and pilferage. The anti-corruption initiative that has been recently launched by this administration must be given an opportunity to become effective before high levels of government spending is allowed to continue. Our Nation’s leadership must begin with humility, a realistic view of what is possible, a clear vision for our nation’s future and the consistent pursuit of it. A pursuit led by them which helps our nation make substantial progress towards this vision over the next five years. We must as a Nation maintain our focus, and we must have a clear and consistent message for all of our citizens to be aligned with our goals.

Best regards,

Mr. Jamil Changlee

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• CRG, Jamil Changlee, Letters, national development

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