Dear Editor,
I do not see a problem with a group of people like OGGN (Oil & Gas Governance Network) working to get a better, fairer deal for Guyana from Guyana’s oil. The democratically elected PPP/C government seems to be hypersensitive to constructive criticism leading to some supporters getting riled up at the slightest criticism. This is what happens when governments do not do proper consultations. They tend to have to be on the defensive. Had the PPP/C Government done proper consultations on mega projects then there would be no need for government supporters to come out swinging at constructive criticism.
My advice to OGGN is to have a figure (as in an idea of what we want from a renegotiated ExxonMobil/Guyana oil contract) so that Guyanese have an idea of how much better off Guyana’s coffers would be with a renegotiated oil contract. It is no good saying that we want more money, etc. Quantify it. My advice to the PPP/C Government is to do the required feasibility studies on mega projects. Open up the projects to proper scrutiny by way of consultations so that Guyanese can assess the viability. Look at things objectively: we’re building a US$2 billion pipeline to reduce the cost of electricity in the hope that manufacturing will take-off. Of course, citizens will be concerned. It is a lot of money to spend/borrow on a pipedream.
Sincerely,
Sean Ori
