Dear Editor,
If the allegations in Christopher Ram’s letter (‘Once Sithe’s licence remains valid the government has no control over the Amaila project site’) of August 25 are true then one has to wonder what the government was doing. The problem, however, is that with all the ‘information’ put out, not only are people no longer sure about the facts but confusion has seeped into the discourse. Surely not everyone can be absolutely correct, but a look at what each expert and analyst has said/is saying does not reveal concurrence every which way. And when the government’s positions are factored in, then there are wide-ranging disparities.
Amidst all the point/counterpoint expositions, there seems to be agreement on a number of things: that Guyana needs hydropower; that the idea of an Amaila Falls project is not really a bad one; and that such a project can be feasible and beneficial.
Meanwhile Granger and the PNC remain inflexible in their position. Sithe Global has walked away, but the government refuses to revoke its licence, and continues to stand behind its positions, which have been contradicted and/or debunked by a number of experts and analysts. The occasional ‘cuss-down’ has been thrown into the mix and the AFC has been taking undue flak for having supported the government in parliament. Yet, it is clear that the greater majority of people, including many NGOs and professional organizations, desire the execution of the project. Even the US Ambassador has put in his support.
Now that everyone had said his or her bit, is it not time to sift through and arrive at only the facts, as another letter writer pointed out? Why don’t our three political leaders, President Ramotar, the PNC’s Granger and the AFC’s Ramjattan come together and appoint a commission/panel whatever, that they can all agree on to be objective and fair and hopefully with no political axe to grind, pore through all that has been ventilated, along with all the relevant documentation, including the ones referenced by Christopher Ram, and present the bare facts to everyone along with viable and implementable recommendations? Perhaps then agreed adjustments can be made and, if necessary, new investors can be sought to execute a project that is at once, cost effective, feasible and of maximum benefit to the nation.
The benefits of such an approach would include a realization that our politicians can bridge the divide and work towards the national interest. After all, is it not the national interest that is the crux of the matter here? Certainly this would exemplify power-sharing of sorts and reaching out beyond the political/ethnic/ideological divides would it not? Certainly President Donald Ramotar has an opportunity to create history by becoming inclusive, at least at the decision-making level to some extent, does he not? Or is it that some of us are just too hopeful, perhaps even idealistic? And is it that our political landscape is far too fractured for any kind of bridge-building to occur in the foreseeable future?
To me it’s all about leadership will. So will President Ramotar please, please show his detractors and the doubters and sceptics that they could not have been more wrong. Imagine the story he would be telling his great grandchildren many moons from now as he spreads his arms to embrace the development impetus and proclaim, “I made all this possible!” Imagine them exclaiming in wide-eyed wonder to their friends and peers, “All this is our Grandpa’s legacy!”
Yours faithfully,
Annan Boodram
