Dear Editor,
Let the people speak and the results speak for themselves. Accounting and legal firm Ram and McRae conducted a survey of 135 Guyanese. They spoke in clear terms, almost unanimous terms, of what they would like to see happen with their oil wealth. From money to its management, most Guyanese want more from their oil patrimony. And the survey said…what?
Four out of five (83.2%) Guya-nese want more than the current 2% royalties enshrined in the Exxon deal. Four out of five citizens (79.4%) want changes to the existing tax arrangements. In this instance, changes mean a little distance from nought. I suggest a good number would be the OECD 15% tax baseline, which the United States endorsed. What is good for America is good for Guyana. A decent starting point, though I prefer 25%. Three out of five (61.8%) of the statistically richest people in the world support ring-fencing. Why not, since that could move them from paper riches to actual richness in the palm. Perhaps, if more inhabitants in this Oil Paradise had a brighter idea of what ring-fencing meant, the support would have been closer to 100%. Whether royalties, taxes, or ring-fencing, Guyanese could not be clearer. The numbers say so. The anonymity of a survey empowers people to be frank and fearless. Unlike razor thin national elections in Guyana, there is no need for recount, audit, or new survey.
The government’s principals and its punditocracy are sure to question survey size, credibility, even its existence. But let’s be honest with ourselves this once: do Guyanese need a survey to confirm where they truly stand with their oil wealth? Whether PPP, PNC, or AFC? I think not. The diehards did prove their mental unconsciousness: don’t see a problem. Don’t have a concern. I have often laboured to say that there are Guyanese who are more Exxon than Woods and Routledge combined. It would have been better to be wrong. My grandmother, who couldn’t read and write would have had something to say about that Exxon contract, notwithstanding that she would have had no idea about royalties or taxes (maybe) and ringfencing, most definitely.
Let me sum up this survey. Guyanese don’t like this contract, most Guyanese, hate it. Mr. Alistair Routledge, let there be listening. First, I redirect the courtesy to Drs. Ali, Jagdeo, and Nandlall. Ah, government for the people, of the people, by the people. Well, the people have spoken. If Guyanese noblemen, Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo, wish to do their own survey, let it be. Before elections. Make it a referendum issue and I will bet a dollar that the percentages will be close to what came out of that Ram & McRae survey (94% want renegotiation). Now, there is this message for Mr. Nandlall: still harbour ideas to be Guyana’s head of state? Then, he needs to get his own head in order first. Stop making a monkey out the Guyanese people (I shouldn’t need to say who else) with these cases being fought by the side of Exxon while abandoning the interest of the people. Their will, too, as the survey testified. It is time to turn the steering wheel in that direction, where the going gets heavier.
Lack of political will dominated the survey scoreboard: a flooring right hook: 80.2%. May I exercise the right to identify President Ali, Oil Commissar Jagdeo, OL Norton, and the other OL, Hughes? Political will, my brothers, and Guyanese just made me feel good about myself. Due to the demands of media etiquette, I have refrained from saying lack of marbles. Two only and they both begin with the letter ‘b.’ One of two Guyanese (53%) surveyed said that leaders (Ali, Jagdeo, Norton, Hughes) frikken. Loss of power (risk getting kicked out of that office where we [yes, we] put them in). Same reasoning applies to those who have high hopes for it. Not the kick, but the office, as in being kicked upstairs into it. Reality beats any survey, and Guyanese have seen the fear, nervousness, rage in their political leaders when oil comes up. Listen to Guyana’s Minister of Information, Dr. Jagdeo, absorb his menacing form over state ads and KN. It’s about the oil and fearful stewardship, stupid; nobody cares about incompetence or corruption.
If any Guyanese thought that I would leave and leave Americans alone, they don’t know me. Guyanese have a healthy regard for the mighty hand of the US in Guyana’s oil. It was put nicely: diplomatic concerns, humbug, and other such heartaches. The US Embassy is not here just to process visas and conduct covert ops. The ambassador is here to preside over discissions and put her red, white, and blue stamp on any Exxon talks. Note the similarity of Exxon’s colours with the US flag. Like Alistair, the ambassador is terse: no talking. It is why Washington has been sending women here. Lull Guyanese, mesmerize them, then bowl them over. Almost half of Guyanese have seen the real diplomatic light – obstacle. Closing: if Guyanese want meaningful returns from their oil wealth, they are going to have to stand up and make their voices heard, their presence felt. Before Routledge and Excellency Theriot. Any leader who does not align openly and persuasively with that Ram and McRae survey should do the right thing: scratch himself off the ballot. If they don’t, Guyanese must scratch them off.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall