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Guyana’s oil wealth dictate what happen to it
Dear Editor,
Guyana has crude oil and we are now benefitting from its proceeds, however, many are the suggestions of those looking on, that Guyana relinquish that sovereignty to another, in the words of one of the charlatans “Guyana does not have the know-how to manage oil.” That same writer went on to explain
Trinidad has the experience and so do others in the Caribbean. There is a lot of oil refining capacity that can be brought online again, and these countries also have the institutional know-how to deal with the environmental issues that surround such an undertaking. Making the correct make vs. buy decision should be based on financial modeling and the business case it supports. The establishment of an additional oil refinery should also not be just a national consideration, but a regional one that is accompanied by a decision on regional oil Reserves.
Clearly, this writer is trapped in a halo of delusion and would like our country’s destiny to be the same. What this writer needs to be reminded of, is that Guyana is a sovereign state and not under the control of another, international and most certainly not regional, so talk of a regional ownership or control should be wiped clean off his mind. The problem that I have with these guys is the barefacedness they come over with the nonsense they have to say. Maybe, and just maybe, this writer was never pushed around or strip searched at a Caribbean port of entry, therefore he can come on here to be the public relations officer for Trinidad? But such is the double talk that comes from persons who are not in the least interested in Guyana having the full enjoyment of its sovereign wealth, but can now speak of Guyana’s role in a CSME. Should I remind the charlatans that Guyana’s oil wealth is ours exclusively and not to be led by the dictates of a so-called “Caribbean”
In fact, what this writer wants our government, who is the custodian of our oil, to do is to become the answer to all of Caricom’s problems. He opines we should become Caricom’s ATM, Trinidad never accepted that role and neither should we, so I am at a loss to what he is referring to? Hitherto the founding of oil, Guyana was considered a backwater somewhere no one paid any attention to, simply put, Guyana was not a Caribbean Island; we were just fortunate to be an appendage to the more “progressive Caribbean Islands.” Caricom saw us through lens that showed them poverty, and refugees seeking refuge outside of Guyana. We were seen and treated as second, third or persons of no class at all, this was the status of Guyana and its peoples.
Now that we have found oil and this country has been given international rating, according to this writer, we should also become a regional entity., Well I am happy to disappoint him and all his co-conspirators that Guyana’s oil wealth is not for sale and that’s the way it’s going to be. Guyana’s oil wealth is our sovereign responsibility and is our resolve that as a responsible government, they must safeguard the management of our resources to the benefit of all Guyanese. Ownership and responsibility of our oil resources is not Trinidad’s responsibility, that sacred responsibility lies with the government we have elected to manage.
We are still under the spell of a colossal mistake made by The PNC Coalition Government, in signing that 2% deal with ExxonMobil, they’ve made an apology on that horrendous contract but are now adding salt to the wound by demanding that the PPP/C Government scrap that contract. By this they are hoping that the present government become embroiled in a legal tussle with ExxonMobil or the oil giant pack up and leave these shores. They would then be the first to turn again and blame the government on trying to undo a binding contract. Thankfully, none of the above has taken place, and that is how it is going to be, we are not going to dig a deeper cavern that we have no control over and a place from which we cannot extricate ourselves. My people, just let us enjoy our sovereign wealth with no strings attached?
Respectfully Submitted,
Neil Adams
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