Dear Editor,
The critical historic juncture at which our country now stands with the governing mechanism in place led by President Ali, has several historical antecedents beginning from the early 1950’s. Unlike its antecedents, this historic juncture is qualitatively different from those that preceded it in April-October 1953; 1957-1964; 1964-1967; 1967-1992; 1992-1997; March-December 1997; 1997-1999; 2001-2011; 2011-2015 and from 2015-2018. All hitherto critical junctures peculiar to Guyanese political history, emerged as a result of specific political conditions. For example, in the early 1950’s, the maturing of the political conditions helped trigger fundamental policy divergences from the existing colonial order. This was exemplified in the policies laid down by the newly elected Burnham/Jagan united PPP and government at a time when the political economy, owned and controlled by foreign capital prevailed.
The brief existence of the 155-day government notwithstanding, it initiated the Education Bill, ending dual control of schools, awarded government scholarships; introduced the Labour Relations Bill; lifted travel bans on West Indian leaders, initiated reforms regarding local government, social security and workmens’ compensation among others. Speculative as it might seem, had those positive outcomes been allowed to grow and prosper uninterrupted, as they were by the suspension of the constitution in 1955, and the removal of the 1957-1964 PPP government, they would have laid the basis for the long-term progressive development of our country. While the brief historic juncture in 1953 saw the introduction of progressive socio-economic reforms, the historic junctures of the 1964-‘67 period, compounded by that of the 1967-1992 period, saw the reversal of a number progressive policies and the emergence of a legacy and a heritage that has blemished our society to this day.
Seventy years after, history had repeated itself, ‘first as a tragedy’ in 1955, ‘second as a farce’ between 2015 and 2020. The wheels of history has since turned a full circle placing us at another critical juncture of our country’s history. In the circumstances, the juncture we are at today, should be viewed especially by this generation as ‘a once in a life time’ occurrence in which every Guyanese man, woman and young person should seek to carve out a niche for themselves consistent with their profession and/or vocational training. And this should be facilitated by government who has declared time and again, its commitment to ensure that all Guyanese prosper. Essentially, the period ahead of us has the potential to last for years to come, setting in motion a transformative momentum that may prove unstoppable.
The singular and most important factor that characterizes this current historical juncture is the emergence of the oil industry. Notwithstanding the enduring contributions of the agricultural and mining sectors, it is the oil and gas industry and the financial resources flowing therefrom, provided it is effectively, efficiently and transparently managed that will see us, as a country through a successful 2023 and beyond. In the circumstances, the Ali administration has set itself the task of addressing the problem of climate change through the sale of carbon credits, its Low Carbon Development Strategy, and REDD plus Investment Fund (GRIF), its Local Content Law and number of related policy initiatives. At the same time, the government has resolved to tackle a host of developmental challenges including poverty; unemployment; the housing shortage; food security; and allocating more budgetary resources for improving social services. And though the matter continues to be widely debated in the public domain, the almost US$1.27bln in oil money accumulated in 2022 will be critical for solving in the long term economic and social problems facing Guyana.
But whatever the case might be, the tasks undertaken by government on several fronts, should be viewed as efforts to lay the foundation for the socio-economic transformation of Guyanese society as a whole. At this critical juncture of our country’s history, though there continues to be some turbulences along the way, it is evident that the Ali administration has recognized that there is a role and place for the human factor. Every opportunity should be given to allow this factor to grow and prosper in a sustained way. In the circumstances, the revenues flowing from profit oil and the concomitant growth in the public and private sectors, as well as the push on the agricultural front, should create the material conditions for arresting the socio-economic problems facing our country. But the poor and powerless, in whatever region in Guyana they might be, must not be left behind.
Thankfully, many oil producing developing nations have provided us with tragic lessons that must not be repeated here in Guyana. 2023 must be the year in which Guyana must reinforce, and demonstrate in an even greater manner, its deep and abiding commitment to lift the poor and powerless out of poverty.
Sincerely,
Clement J. Rohee
