Dear Editor,
I take the liberty of publicly and directly approaching Exxon’s Country Head in Guyana, Mr. Alistair Routledge. In this instance, it is purely as a son of this soil, a citizen of this place held in high esteem. In tendering this communication to Mr. Routledge, it is my belief that I speak for a great number of Guyanese. These, Mr. Routledge, are my calling cards, which suffice to make me even more of a messenger and a servant of the Guyanese people. I take this seriously, and appeal to Mr. Routledge.
We, some of the Guyanese people, have been calling for renegotiation of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement between ExxonMobil and the Republic of Guyana. I believe that it is necessary, definitely vital, to the interests of all Guyanese. In its most expansive interpretation, renegotiation could mean discarding the contract, and starting with fresh minds and sharp pencils to obtain a radically different result. In a nutshell, a contract that is better than what was executed in 2016, what we live with now.
The objective is for Guyana to get more so that every citizen can be in a place to claim his or her rightful share of their resource legacy. Guyanese need more: more royalties, more profits, more by way of some taxes, and those are a start. We are talking of a few percentages upwards for royalties, profits, taxes; and a few downwards for expenses and recoverable deductions. Instead of Guyanese (like me) insisting, oftentimes sharply and impatiently for a better deal through renegotiation, it is infinitely better, more rewarding, for ExxonMobil to take the first signaling step to the table of discussion, Mr. Routledge. The sages have long said that the most arduous journeys begin with the first firm step.
Mr. Routledge, think of how well ExxonMobil could be written off in the annals of Guyanese history. Regrettably, it is not a privilege, honour that would be mine. Contemplate how well, you yourself, Mr. Routledge, will be remembered during the time that ExxonMobil prospers here, and long after the last echoes of its presence would have faded, be among the stories shared around campfires, and spoken of in hushed and awed, tones. Mr. Routledge, this is more than communication and suggestion. It is an exhortation from the depths of Guyana’s soil and soul.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
