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Wales GTE: Many questions, no answers
(Kaieteur News) – The questions came before, are coming again. Former Minister David Patterson pushed questions in and out of parliament relative to the Wales gas-to-energy project and got nowhere. The Speaker of the National Assembly, like a Roman emperor, repeatedly gave the thumbs down. Death to any question and effort on what the nation is getting for US$2 billion. If questions on the Wales project were like gladiators, then the National Stadium would have piles of dead ones, thanks to the Speaker blocking motions, questions, considerations.
Before and after Mr. Patterson, independent sections of Guyana’s media raised questions, pressed for answers, and got a blank slate, or a chewed-up ear, compliments of one Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana’s self-appointed oil czar. Since the list of chewed-up media ears, silence is king. In the beginning, Dr. J was hot and sweaty with energy about the gas project doing this, doing that, and it will be live by 2024.
Silence has reigned since then. Call a name-Jagdeo, Brassington, Phillips-and Guyanese get the owlish (defiant, stony stares) or the clownish (hula-hoop answers). But look at the magnitude of what is involved: two billion, not two million; and two billion in US dollars, not Guyanese dollars. The people paying for what could be another Guyanese political boondoggle count themselves lucky if they don’t get a stream of spittle making contact with their faces.
Dr. Jagdeo went from abuse to absence on this pet project of his. It’s an improvement, strange as that sounds. One would think that the man spearheading the charge with this gas project would know the ins and outs of it, as well as the chief project engineer or plant development superintendent. He would be so familiar with every development on this project that answers roll off his tongue. Answers that sound and are credible. Answers that make Guyanese walkaway convinced that Dr. Jagdeo knows what he is doing, has all the moving parts in his hand, and is in full control. Not only of the project, but of his senses also. Sorry to disappoint, but he has been a no show, having moved far away and far bigger things. Like climate change and raising the bar about that in India. Like looming Local Government Elections, and cementing the PPP’s quest for total control.
Who has time to waste on questions about agreements, contracts, and documents re the Wales gas project? It is why the onetime Project Taskforce Head, now born again as Project Consultant, Mr. Winston Brassington, is left to hold the Wales US$2 billion timebomb and do his best to quiet down its ticking. What is really going on with this project? Is it still a viable gas to electricity operation, or now a bona fide boondoggle? For uninitiated Guyanese, a boondoggle is sham and slop; one that has squander-mania and political schizophrenia written all over it. Is the promised half-price electricity still looking good, still deliverable? Or is it a giraffe whose neck reached too far, and is now tangled with its tail? In other words, ass backwards, but still considered normal.
I feel for my fellow believer, Winston Brassington, who has been left holding a basket without bottom. In the early days of the gas project, Dr. Jagdeo had lateraled it to others in the PPP Govt, when the going got too hot. PM Mark Anthony Phillips (remember him?) did his old duck-and-drake routine that he perfected in the army. The documents are coming; gas papers will be delivered. Then he went MIA. After Ministers Gail and Vickram had their turns, it was poor Winston B rechristened project consultant, who is left to drum up any answers he can manage.
Former Finance skipper, Mr. Winston Jordan, is asking about free gas and who is paying whom and with what kind of currency? Being the pushy kind, he’s going the whole nine yards and asking for related documents. Those who think he is onto something knows the man, are smart. Those who conclude that he will get something are dumber than I am. In sum, the Wales gas project is a certified bum. The Wales gas project has gone from a PPP Govt House of Secrets to a PPP House of Cards. Shuffle, ruffle, muffle, and scuffle. Until next time, pilgrims.
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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