Dear Editor,
Allow me a space in your newspaper to express my disbelief at the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) bill, proposed for enactment by the People’s Progressive Party. Editor, the NRF bill is nothing short of legalizing the theft of Guyana’s oil fund. Upon reading the proposed Bill, one would notice that the bill, in its entirety, gives unlimited power to a board of directors appointed directly by the President. At Part III 5(1) of the proposed Bill, it states, inter alia, that the members of the NRF board are to be appointed by the President, along with a Chairperson also appointed by the President! Therefore, what the NRF will do, is effectively remove the Oil and Gas industry from the purview of the Ministry of Natural Resources, thereby removing parliamentary scrutiny!
This, Editor, is a blatant attempt to subvert the elected representatives of the people of this country, and thereby, effectively removing the people themselves from gaining an insight into the operations of the oil and gas industry, and how it is benefiting them. It is nothing short of legal skullduggery by the current administration. This administration continues to manage the affairs of this country as though it belongs only to them! There is no way that Guyanese will see the benefit of the oil and gas industry, should it come under the control of the NRF. The entire board will be stacked with PPP cronies and henchmen, as have been done by every state board so far, and each member will serve the interest of, not the Guyanese people, but the interest of the ruling cabal!
Editor, no right-minded Guyanese should support the passage of this bill. Guyana’s national patrimony belongs to all Guyanese, and each and every one of us should be able to have a say in how that patrimony is safeguarded from those running this country. I therefore call on all Guyanese, the public sector and the private sector, the Parliamentarians elected by the people, to raise your voice against this atrocity against the Guyanese people. Do not allow the PPP to use the resources of this country as they see fit, and to the benefit of the cabal. Stand up for what is right!
Sincerely,
Pt. Ubraj Narine
Mayor
City of Georgetown
