By Mark DaCosta-The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has raised concerns about government actions and media bias, calling for greater transparency in key national issues. The matters were highlighted at a press conference and subsequent media release on November 18.
Media Bias and Discrimination
The WPA has condemned the lack of fair media coverage of its statements and positions, accusing both state-owned and some privately-owned media outlets of bias. The party singled out Stabroek News for consistently ignoring its press releases while providing ample coverage to other political parties. While acknowledging the editorial independence of media houses, WPA stressed the importance of equal media access, especially when state resources subsidise media platforms.
In its statement, WPA said, “WPA calls on the State-owned media, the privately owned media and the Guyana Press Association to treat this matter with some urgency.”
Karpowership Deal:
The party has raised alarms about the controversial Karpowership electricity deal, signed between Karpowership, Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), and UCC Holding, a Qatar-based infrastructure firm. Under the agreement, a power ship will supply 27 percent of Guyana’s electricity demand for the next two years, but WPA has expressed concerns over the deal’s transparency. The party is calling for the public release of the government’s due diligence report on Karpowership, given the company’s alleged troubled international reputation.
“The contrast between the firm’s website view of itself and the torrent of corrupt practices levelled against it is stupendous,” WPA stated, urging the government to release the terms of the deal and the safeguards in place to protect taxpayer funds.
Electoral Reforms and the Fight for Fair Elections
With Guyana’s elections on the horizon, WPA has doubled down on its demand for electoral reforms that ensure free and fair elections. The party advocates for a clean voters list and the use of biometrics to reduce electoral fraud. WPA is particularly alarmed by the PPP’s resistance to these reforms, which have been supported by both local stakeholders and international observers.
WPA also criticised Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s dismissal of their proposal to extend the election deadline if necessary to implement the reforms. Drawing a historical parallel, WPA reminded the government that the PPP had previously supported such a delay in 1990, when elections were postponed for nearly two years. WPA stated, “We are forced to conclude that there must be some sinister motive.”
The party’s call for electoral safeguards is unequivocal: WPA believes that the current system is ripe for manipulation and that the upcoming elections must not be tainted by fraud.
Procurement Practices Under Scrutiny
The WPA has criticised the government’s handling of public procurement, particularly following a recent meeting in which President Irfaan Ali publicly reprimanded ministers, contractors, and civil servants over delays in meeting contract deadlines. WPA described the spectacle as a “staged and orchestrated” attempt to project an image of strong governance, while in reality, it exposed systemic corruption within the procurement process.
WPA pointed out that contractors, often blamed for delays, are merely a reflection of a broader government failure. “The attempt to make contractors the scapegoats for government’s corruption must not be allowed to fly,” the party stated.
Exclusion of Teenage Parents from Cash Grants
The WPA has also condemned the government’s decision to exclude teenage parents under 18 from the cash handouts announced in the national budget. The party described this as a form of “economic violence” against the vulnerable, particularly young mothers. WPA pointed out the government’s failure to address the issue, with Vice President Jagdeo and Attorney General Anil Nandlall remaining silent on the matter.
WPA remarked, “How can you claim to love all the people when you willfully exclude some of them from the country’s patrimony?” The party advocates for more inclusive cash distribution, ensuring that all segments of society, including teenage parents, benefit from the oil windfall.
Support for a Referendum on the 2016 Oil Contract
The WPA has expressed support for a national referendum on the 2016 oil contract, despite mixed messages from the government. While Vice President Jagdeo and Attorney General Nandlall have cast doubt on the effectiveness of a referendum, the WPA believes that a “yes” vote, though non-binding, would send a clear message to ExxonMobil and strengthen the government’s negotiating position.
WPA also views the referendum as part of a broader discussion on the distribution of oil revenues, calling for a “structured cash transfer system” and “power sharing” to ensure equitable distribution of the benefits. WPA stated, “Substantive democracy should mean that all those who are affected by national decisions should participate in the decision-making.”
Justice for Quindon Bacchus
The WPA welcomed the court’s ruling awarding compensation to the family of Quindon Bacchus, a young man killed by a police officer in 2020. Although no amount of money can replace a life, WPA saw this ruling as a significant step towards justice for victims of extrajudicial killings in Guyana. The party also expressed hope that this decision would encourage other families to seek justice through the courts.
The WPA called on the government to view this case as a wake-up call to address extrajudicial killings, particularly those involving African Guyanese males. WPA has long called for an end to these practices, which it believes stain the country’s reputation.
A Call for Justice and Reform
In its press release, the WPA presented a comprehensive critique of the government’s actions, highlighting issues of media bias, corruption, electoral integrity, and social justice. The party’s demands for transparency and reform echo longstanding concerns about the state of governance in Guyana, particularly with respect to public procurement, oil revenues, and the treatment of vulnerable groups.
