Dear Editor,
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” ― Charles Dickens (1812-70), a Tale of Two Cities.
So as Guyanese look forward to the best of times with its newfound oil wealth, they must contend with the worst oil contract imposed by ExxonMobil upon a hapless population, most of whom are not aware or are ignorant of the details of the lopsided contract. Recently, it has been revealed in some media outlets that the Minister was ordered to sign the oil contract that was prepared by officials at ExxonMobil and not by the minister responsible for energy and mining at the time. Embarrassed by the contract, which was hidden from the public for two years after it was signed, former president Granger relieved Minister Trotman of the Energy portfolio. Presently, the most qualified Minister in the oil field holds the portfolio as Minister of Sport. Why?
Today, foreigners are dominating the business and workforce landscape and they are awarded with all forms of contracts – including oil, construction of roads, buildings, and sea defense among others while local contractors like BK International (one of if not the best in country) are being pushed aside and denied. This is because some in the top echelon of government have accused BK of being a supporter of the former administration. We must remember that while in opposition, the government of the day had promised to renegotiate the contract and govern in the interests of all, but now in office it has reneged on its promises and has gone back to its old pre-2015 vindictive ways/behavior. Clearly, it shows that the season of darkness is upon the land once again as it was during its 23 years of terror, nastiness, and spitefulness of PPP rule. But with a victory margin of only 8,000 votes in the 2020 election, trouble could be on the horizon for the party in power. The truth is none of the two major parties has the support base to win an election. They have to depend on cross over votes for victory since the Indo Guyanese population is pegged at 39 percent and Afro Guyanese is at 30 percent.
After only one year in office, such despair is permeating all strata of society. And while the PPP has renewed its focus on being spiteful, the country today languishes in poor technology, (constant WIFI interruption within and to and from Guyana; outdated infrastructure and justice system; very poor health care services in public hospitals; pitiable banking system, and a litany of clumsiness, slothfulness, and arrogance in the Public Service. Not to mention the soaring cost of living, massive poverty and homelessness and a high crime rate in the country. All this is happening considering one of the worst oil contracts which those in power have refused to renegotiate despite the government strongpoint to address poverty and improve the lives of the proletariat. Meanwhile the emerging bourgeois finds favors with the ruling untouchables; at the expense of the masses who perpetually have to contend with horrible medical facilities, electric outages, lack of adequate potable water and a transportation system where drivers of all class of vehicles seem to be on a suicide mission on our narrow roads.
For a country that was the second largest exporter of gold after South Africa between 1995 and 2001, and also a huge exporter of diamonds, sugar, bauxite, and rice, it begs the question as to why poverty and homelessness are increasing rapidly and why this government that promises to govern in the interests of all are handing out contracts worth billions of dollars to only families, friends, and supporters of the PPP. As an illustration, the clumsy and devious mindset of the government has done nothing to improve the lives of the poor, create unity or rule in the interest of all, regardless of race, creed, party affiliation and sexuality. It should be noted that since taking office, except for Ministers, the administration has appointed only a handful women to state corporations and boards and to other prominent positions. We are living in a country that has forgotten time. It shows that nothing has changed and, in the words of Mahatma Gandhi: TRUTH ALONE SHALL ENDURE, ALL THE REST WILL BE SWEPT AWAY BEFORE THE TIDE OF TIME.
Sincerely,
Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine
New York
