Has ExxonMobil joined the political fray in Guyana?

Dear Editor,

The November 9th issue of Kaieteur News reported the ExxonMobil Guyana Country Manager, Alistair Routledge as saying “..…talking again to how important it is to the country that we have the right Government, the right longer term vision to invest in the country…”, as he “sang praises of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government while referencing the Wales Gas-to-Energy”

We are not surprised that Routledge would sing the praises of the government that has opened the vaults so that ExxonMobil and partners could march in and take everything for themselves, but we are flabbergasted by the pure arrogance of this man, who is well aware that nearly every Guyanese citizen believes that the Exxon oil contract should be renegotiated, that nearly every citizen believes that Exxon is alleged to be an untrustworthy partner whose only allegiance is to its stockholders; imagine this man being so emboldened that he is comfortable allegedly choosing the political side of a government with a one seat majority.  The PPP should also be reminded that to blindly support the Exxon agenda in Guyana is reject the will of the Guyanese people.

Editor, Routledge is displaying to the world that Exxon is more powerful that any entity in Guyana and that includes the Guyana government.  After reading this statement, I am forced to ask whether Exxon has chosen a political side and joined the political fray.  Unfortunately for the Guyanese people, this means that there is no chance of us receiving a more fair percent of revenue from the development of our own natural resources.

Editor while Exxon lauds PPP subservience, the people of Guyana still need more funds for seawall protection, better hospitals, schools, roads, bridges, internet, electricity and crime fighting infrastructure.

Editor while Exxon declares obscene profits for their shareholders, Guyana is left to borrow funds for development, leaving our children and grandchildren strangled by the noose of debt around their necks for generations.

Rennie Peters