President Donald Ramotar is hoping that a planned meeting between United States President Barack Obama and CARICOM leaders on April 9th in Jamaica would present the opportunity for him to express his government’s “hurt” at the stalled Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP).
“Particularly Amaila and the incredible abandonment of the Blackstone and the Sithe Global deal on Amaila. We have been hurt and we need to rekindle interest, maintain the level of interest of investors in Guyana, particularly related to its developmental agenda,” Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon said yesterday.
Before US-based Sithe Global pulled out from here in August 2013 as the developer of the US$858.2 million, 165-megawatt hydro venture, the AFHP was shrouded in controversy as costs escalated. Sithe Global pulled out of the AFHP citing a lack of political consensus. The company had issued explicit statements that unless all three parties in Parliament backed two measures for the controversial US$858 million project it would pull out. The measures were not fully supported and the company walked away.
However, the Ramotar administration has consistently maintained that it will continue to pursue the Amaila hydropower venture.
In February, the President stated that another company was identified to replace Blackstone/Sithe Global as the developer for the AFHP. Speaking at the commissioning of a US$35 million power plant at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara on February 9, Ramotar said that government is working towards beginning the construction of the actual project before the end of this year.
He reiterated his position during an address at Port Mourant earlier this month but is yet to identify who the new developers are. It is also unclear what due diligence they were subjected to. Other officials are also tightlipped on the identity of the prospective new investor and a source recently would only confirm that discussions are ongoing.
According to the source, any premature announcement of the identity of the prospective investor will prejudice ongoing discussions.
Dr Luncheon yesterday explained that on the agenda for the meeting between Obama and the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are trade and security in the region.
Prime Minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson Miller last week informed that Jamaica will host the meeting and discussions will centre on issues on the CARICOM-USA agenda including security and trade. According to her, they will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The Jamaican Prime Minister also stated that plans were in place to hold bilateral talks on a range of issues of mutual interest.
Stabroek News understands that while bilateral talks are planned with the host country, up to yesterday it was still unclear if the other CARICOM Heads of State would have the same opportunity with the US president.
Diplomatic protocol would prohibit a Head of State from galvanizing or advancing support for a specific government project during a regional discussion. Stabroek News understands that the total time for the regional meeting will be about two to three hours.
As such, Ramotar might only be able to mention Amaila in passing as a regional development issue on the grounds that it is a renewable energy initiative. In that context, the President could say that his country has been putting policies in place for hydropower and Amaila could be used as an example.
