It did not escape attention the recent disagreement between Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Leader of the Opposition Joseph Harmon about the management of oil and gas. The truth be told, while Mr. Jagdeo was quick to assert Mr. Harmon knows nothing about oil and gas, the same could be said of him. The paucity of technical knowledge in this industry at the government level has attracted criticisms. Both the A Partnership of National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition Government and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) condemned each other’s management and have been equally criticised by the people for their respective management.
The present government brings no technical or moral superiority in dealing with the industry, from the signing of the exploration contracts to the present deals. It makes practical sense when dealing with national resources, particularly when reliance is on foreigners- for financing, technical and otherwise- to put national not partisan or foreign interest first. There is more than enough blame to pass around about the present contracts and why better could have been done. This includes the recent signing of the Payara contract with United States (U.S) owned ExxonMobil, which came shortly after the visit of U.S Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo.
The signing of this contract was predated by what has proven to be a false campaign promise by the PPP/C to take its time and review such contracts. It comes less than three weeks after the government sought to deceive Guyanese that Mr. Pompeo’s visit had nothing to do with ensuring the contract was signed. It was absurd to believe the government when it announced, less than two weeks in office, that the Payara contract will not be rushed because they wanted maximum value for our oil and gas.
The Payara contract was achieved by finalising what is arguably the gravest deception. Dr. Vincent Adams, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was sent on immediate leave at a time when his agency was reviewing the deal. Dr. Adams, is a renowned Guyanese scientist of international bona fide, having served at a senior level in the environmentally conscious administration of U.S President Barack Obama and has three decades of experience in the U.S Department of Energy.
The review was then outsourced to a Canadian whose interest is not of Guyanese. It is not coincident that some today feel Guyana was cheated as those who stand to benefit, due to political association/connection, shout praise for the deal. It is not incidental Hess Corporation (HESS) has redirected US $505 million from its operations at the Gulf of Mexico to its operations in Guyana, given its 30 percent interest in ExxonMobil. Many believe, having provided credible arguments, that Guyanese are getting the short end of the stick and their government has sold them out.
Oil and gas, like other non-renewable resources- e.g. gold, diamond, bauxite- in Guyana are not only valuable but their value in the international market is competitive given the high quality. Guyana is blessed with natural resources, though not at all times fortunate to have the right human resources to manage them. This is often the dilemma we face, and the ordinary man and woman are often shortchanged, thrown crumbs as the politicians and well-connected gorge.
The Government has said it will form a Local Content Commission and has named persons to the commission. Admittedly, some are without the needed skills while others are placed there not to be independent thinkers or represent the constituents they should be representing, but merely to provide the vote or ensure the interest of the government prevails. The government also hopes to perpetuate the (false) impression of inclusion. Critical examination foreshadows that even with the best of intent of some members the interest of Guyana and Guyanese by the overall Commission will not be first but happenstance.
Additional to the government’s agencies on oil and gas it is to Guyana’ s best interest to have a civil society grouping (pressure group) serving as watchdog, fighting for a proper local content, the application of international best practices, including protection of the environment and ensuring sustainable development. The power is still the people to ensure our resources are managed to our best interest, not foreign; to ensure the environment is protected for our children and future generations. It is a power not to give away or allow to be stomped on. There are more than enough Guyanese, home and in the diaspora, with the expertise and commitment to Guyana to make this happen. We must therefore unite for Guyana and ourselves.
