By Mark DaCosta- In a troubling contradiction, our nation’s newfound oil wealth is failing to uplift the very people who need it most. As veteran journalist Adam Harris pointed out in a recent analysis, the gap between the country’s riches and the living standards of its citizens is widening dramatically. President Irfaan Ali’s administration continues to promise financial assistance, yet increasing levels of poverty suggest those assurances ring hollow for many Guyanese.
On December 10, 2025, protests erupted, orchestrated by the A Partnership for National Unity, demanding the cash grants that President Ali had promised during his electoral campaign. However, during a subsequent address, Ali seemed to adopt an authoritarian tone, declaring that the cash assistance would hinge on whether the populace “behave themselves.” Such remarks betray a stark disconnect between the government and the needs of its constituents, echoing sentiments often observed in regimes that view their citizens merely as subjects to be governed rather than partners in national growth.
Harris further elaborated on the gravity of the situation, highlighting that when the People’s Progressive Party regained power in 2020, the poverty level stood at an alarming 38 per cent. Today, that figure has surged to an astonishing 58 per cent. Even the Inter-American Development Bank acknowledged the troubling disparity, pointing out that despite the influx of oil revenue, the most vulnerable — particularly indigenous communities — continue to experience worsening conditions and rising food insecurity.
The contrast between our oil production and the living conditions of the populace could not be starker. Guyana now extracts around 700,000 barrels of oil each day, a significant leap compared to Trinidad’s 140,000 barrels during its own oil boom, when the standard of living flourished. Yet, rather than seeing similar benefits from our resources, Guyanese are grappling with even greater poverty levels. Harris challenges analysts to explain the “more than twenty per cent jump in poverty levels over the past five years,” hinting at deeper systemic issues that remain unaddressed by the current government.
Calls for the administration to confront the rising cost of living have largely gone unanswered. In a disconcerting revelation, government representatives admitted that there was no coherent plan for national development, stating that plans would materialise “as the country moves along”. Such vague responses illustrate a concerning lack of foresight and responsibility, leaving countless citizens adrift in uncertainty while their needs languish.
Infrastructure projects meant to signal progress have largely become emblematic of mismanagement. Harris notes that roads constructed at great expense have already begun to deteriorate, and the jobs that could have benefited local workers have instead gone to foreign labourers. Many Guyanese have found themselves sidelined, as contracts awarded to local contractors often end with little to show for the investment, leaving behind a trail of unfulfilled promises.
Corruption pervades the system as billions are squandered on ill-conceived ventures, including attempts to revive the faltering sugar industry and a gas-to-energy project that has spiralled far beyond its proposed budget. The efficacy of these initiatives remains questionable, with little transparency surrounding costs or timelines, further eroding public trust.
Compounding these issues is the decline in educational standards, where children enter classrooms with empty stomachs — a consequence of the government’s policies that neglect proper nutrition. Harris poignantly notes, “When they leave school unable to think for themselves, they are going to swell the ranks of the criminal underworld.” This alarming trend is exacerbated by the situation in the country’s healthcare sector, which suffers from a severe shortage of qualified personnel amid rising health crises, including HIV/AIDS.
The government proudly touts its housing initiatives but fails to address the hastily occupied lands that often become a point of frustration for many. In an era where public servants’ salaries are significantly low, an alarming exodus of skilled individuals — eighty per cent of university graduates reportedly leave the nation — leaves the country vulnerable. As Harris starkly notes, “Every government minister is a millionaire by any standard,” highlighting the disconnect between personal enrichment and public welfare.
The overall outlook for our country remains grim, underlined by social media’s circulation of stark realities. With poverty deepening in the face of unprecedented oil wealth, it begs the question: who truly benefits from our nation’s resources? Harris’s incisive observations evoke a pressing need for change in governance, economic redistribution, and a renewed commitment to serving the very people who constitute the fabric of our nation. As the gap widens between wealth and poverty, Guyanese are left to wonder not just about the future, but about their place in it.
