OP-ED: What Ashni Singh hid From Investors at the oil and gas Conference in Guyana – Investment Risks

by Randy Gopaul
Dr. Ashni Singh, the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, recently made bold assertions about Guyana’s economic prospects during the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo. While his remarks may sound promising on the surface, a closer examination reveals a disturbing pattern of exaggeration and selective presentation of facts.

Singh touted Guyana as the premier hub for investments, citing the rapid development in the country’s energy sector. He emphasized Guyana’s significant oil reserves, positioning it as a lucrative destination for investors. However, Singh conveniently overlooked the glaring issues of political instability, rising cost of living, low wages, and corruption plaguing the nation.

The truth is, Guyana is far from stable. The government’s greed and racially divisive leadership have fueled conflict and hindered progress. Investors must tread cautiously, as the government has a history of abruptly pulling the rug from under their feet. Singh’s rosy depiction of Guyana’s investment climate ignores the harsh realities on the ground.  The government of Guyana has also targeted citizens associated with the opposition party and has engaged in what some commentators describe as apartheid, withholding opportunity, seizing lands, destroying businesses, and ensuring that targeted groups do not operate on a level playing field.

Furthermore, Singh’s claims about Guyana’s economic growth and prospects are exaggerated. While he boasts of impressive growth rates, the reality is that much of this growth is fueled by the extractive industries, where the bulk of the profits immediately leave the shores of Guyana as foreign companies funnel their funds back home.  The extractive industries also come with their own set of environmental and social challenges, ask Tobago about the oil spill which is currently destroying their coastline and fishing resources. Indeed, Guyana’s overreliance on oil and other extractive commodities leaves it vulnerable to volatile market fluctuations and hinders diversification efforts.

Singh’s assertion that Guyana has demonstrated responsible fiscal management is questionable at best. While he highlights the reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio, he conveniently ignores the rampant corruption and mismanagement that have plagued the country for decades. He also fails to mention his government’s commitment to starvation wages for public service employees which puts them in direct conflict with their citizens and the unions that represent them.  The government’s track record of fiscal responsibility is also marred by allegations of kickbacks, cronyism, and misuse of public funds.

Investors must also consider the state of Guyana’s institutions, particularly its justice and legal systems. The government’s grip on these institutions raises concerns about investors’ ability to seek redress in case of disputes. Undereducated individuals occupying key positions further exacerbate the problem, undermining confidence in the country’s governance structures, and foreign companies once “in” find themselves victims of the eternal “wait” strategy for permits and approvals causing them to push back rollout dates and deal with significant cost overruns.

Ashni Singh’s exaggerated claims about investment opportunities in Guyana must be taken with a grain of salt. While the country may indeed have potential, investors must approach it with caution and conduct thorough due diligence. The government’s track record of instability, corruption, and weak institutions poses significant risks that cannot be overlooked. Ashni should be honest with investors and share a more realistic assessment of Guyana’s investment climate, one that acknowledges the challenges as well as the opportunities.