Never has any single company

Apr 24, 2026 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

(Kaieteur News) – “Never has any single company…” in a single country beaten almost every single citizen into a state of paralysis. Frankly, I’m disappointed in Chartered Accountant, Attorney-at-Law (and civil society advocate), Chris Ram. Aside: does this chap ever sleep? Mr. Ram’s early education was in the fabled British Isles, had to cut his eyeteeth on Sir Winston (not Brassington), and still came up with “Never has any single company determined the fate of Guyana as Exxon determines our fate…” Reacquaint thyself, sire, with the Battle of Britain, its heroic battlers in the RAF.

Mr. Ram has it right, though. Nothing unusual there, and I commend him for reinforcing the sharp ends of that point. Instead of fighting for a better contract, the country is laid back. Personally speaking, the PPP Govt prioritizes fighting Guyanese who expose its weaknesses, the cowardice of its leaders, their engagements with Exxon that cripple this country, and feather their own nests. Staying in power, is one. A question for all Guyanese: why is Exxon’s Alistair Routledge given the broadest leeway to spout banalities about partnership and the good of Guyanese, when Exxon wrings every last penny of profit (and likely much more from Guyana’s oil). The PPP Govt is a lost cause, a group prone to be Fifth Columnists, in any struggle to get more out of Exxon for this nation’s oil. However, he is right about civilian Guyana and the Guyana Opposition, taken singly or severally.

Parliament is not a useless rubberstamp. It is a toilet bowl. It is only visited when certain types of stuff have to be dealt with there. The PPP Govt’s leadership has the apparatus tuned to respond to any dictate. Oil is not a priority topic. MPs on the government side are more Exxon and Routledge than Woods and Routledge. Think of that, and these lawmakers call themselves patriotic Guyanese. Recall every man jack of them, and how they fought tooth-and-nail in Guyana’s highest forum, its parliament. No! it wasn’t against Maduro and Venezuela. It was how much they were for Darren Woods’, Alistair Routledge’s Exxon re guaranteed full coverage for Guyana should an offshore oil disaster occur. For Mr. Ram’s edification that doesn’t qualify as laidback. I think it is closer to those who painted themselves yellow, and are proud of living with it. I encourage Guyanese to revisit the history of World War II and focus on Scandinavia. Some Norwegians should remind them of went on in Guyana’s parliament. In sum, the PPP Govt was fighting Guyanese so that Exxon can prosper at their expense. A ruling party leadership culture that has continued in the provinces of the judiciary, in the endless wastes of social media, and across the hamlets of Guyana, with Guyanese, believe it or not, selling the Exxon brand to gullible, underexposed citizens. What can beat that disgrace?

There’s the Opposition. Fighting among itself. Unable or unwilling to go at Exxon, and for reasons similar to the schemers on the PPP Govt. Aspirations to power. Fall afoul of the US Ambassador, or enrage Alistair Routledge, and a political death is the consequence. Guaranteed. My position is simplicity itself. Power should never mean so much to anyone. He or she just allowed an addiction to enslave. For a real-life example, I offer the street. Note how adults: young, old, some well-learned and from respected families, stoop to any level, do any dirty job, to feed a habit that paralyzes them. To observe them is to recognize the species. Now switch attention to the politicians and, with few exceptions, there’s an addicted, helpless breed that surrenders to any manipulation, any degradation, to sate their craving. For power. To stand sweet with Americans. To be stooges for Exxon’s pleasure, to guarantee continuity in office. Or getting there.

Last, on the call for every Guyanese to be a freedom fighter for their oil, good luck. Give them a Coke and Kentucky and they are Redder, Whiter, and Bluer than me. Their angle is how best to align to capitalize. Country! To hell with country. Americans sacrifice for other countries. Most Guyanese can’t sacrifice for their own country. But they can follow political parties’ orders.

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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Chris Ram, Exxon, GHK Lall, single company

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