Guyana & Suriname Collaboration

With the recent discoveries of oil and gas resources in Guyana and its eastern neighbour Suriname, the governments of these two countries have been engaged in talks about collaboration.

Projects such as a common bridge across the Corentyne River, linking both countries by way of roads,  is being considered by both governments. While efforts like these may be important and can contribute to the minimising of hostility between two countries, that for years have had border conflicts, a similar indigenous approach is not being pursued by the government.

There is no effort by the government to seek collaboration with the opposition and independent stakeholders. If the government can recognise there is much to be gained facilitating collaboration with a country, not only with a past territorial dispute with Guyana but whose military made incursion into our shores, why not collaborating with fellow Guyanese in Guyana?

It does not serve the common and national good ignoring the opposition. Even if the government views the opposition as traditional foe, it is more than passing strange government is pursuing collaboration with an external foe not internal. The adage “a house divided against itself shall not stand” apparently means nothing or is deliberately being pursued.

Guyanese stand more to gain from external collaboration when collaboration is practiced at home. The opposition is part of Guyana and so too is its supporters. It makes absolutely no sense to discard this reality particularly when the opposition has parliamentary and executive oversight functions.

Nothing prevents the President and Leader of the Opposition meeting and seeking to establish synergies on the management of our oil and gas resources. There is nothing that prevents the President and Leader of the Opposition collaborating on a common agenda for Guyanese development. If the government is only too willing to put behind it past painful experiences with Suriname because the benefit of collaboration outweighs non-collaboration the same holds true for the indigenous political forces.

Collaboration with the opposition can see attention paid to the distribution of resources in a manner that benefits all. This has been a sore problem for eons and fuels animosity in the society.  There can be collaboration on our natural resources in developing a cohesive national position to deal with their sustainable exploitation. Collaboration can result in not only bringing more revenue to Guyana but can minimise the ethnic tensions and divisions in society. There is no denying many believe equal opportunities are not given for Guyanese to be involved and benefit from those resources.

Pity a nation that treats other governments and their citizens better than their own. There is no problem or conflict too big that the government and opposition cannot have engagement should they put Guyana first.  There is nothing that is insurmountable that could prevent both sides from sitting and collaborating on issues that affect their supporters, ultimately Guyana.

There is need for collaboration on education, health, COVID-19, poverty and the unreliable electricity service wreaking havoc in the lives of Guyanese.  If politicians can put aside their egos for the common good, they would recognise Guyanese have more in common that unite rather than divide us. These issues do not discriminate in favour of or against any group, region or class. They affect all.

There is  necessity for collaboration on a national agenda which can realise a national strategy addressing all facets of society. This cannot be overemphasised.  The politics that treat each other as enemies not political rivals with a desire to crush not collaborate on common issues and interest is archaic and counterproductive. Too much time is being spent fighting instead of expending energies in collaborating for the good of Guyana and all her citizens.