By GHK Lall-I call on distinguished US Ambassador to Guyana, Excellency Nicole D. Theriot, to inquire into a recent troubling domestic development. Though reserved in her early days, she has recently shrugged off her prior reticence, and waded into some extremely sensitive issues and areas of Guyanese life. Hence, respectfully and humbly, I ask her to continue her new trend. America would not send a slouch to a budding oil paradise like Guyana; with so many American businesses well-established here, or seeking to plant stakes.
My confidence rests with Ambassador Theriot. There’s the Wales gas-to-energy (maybe fantasy) project, which demands a looksee. She didn’t shrink from interfering, saying a mouthful, in the Mohameds extradition matter presently enduring its throes in Guyana’s court system. Next, Excellency Theriot was a virtual Voice of America re the dangers and terrible signals sent in any thinking about, talking about, and actually moving to do something about renegotiating the horrendous Exxon oil contract.
Excellency Theriot was all fearlessness when she dived into that boiling court issue, then jumped feet first into an incinerating oil contract tragedy. Thus, she should have no difficulty in inserting herself-intervening, interfering-to help local leaders to stop fooling around, and get real clean governance and genuine democratic processes moving in Guyana. now, it’s a public secret that the US is not too thrilled at the idea (and reality) of so many Chinese State fronts operating in Guyana.
This has been articulated at different times by different Americans, however veiled. Well, the extraordinary has surfaced: a child of Mr. Su Zhirong (he of VICE News revelations) is now up to her elbows in the Wales gas-to-energy enterprise. Ms. Jiayi Su’s Tropical Construction & Building Supplies Inc., received a multi-million-dollar subcontract from Houston-based Lindsayca-CH4 for services related to foundation works at the unstable, undelivered, increasingly unmasked Wales project site. What the hell? How could this be, especially in the circumstances now spreading?
I think, recommend, that Ambassador Theriot, having ventured so authoritatively in matters Guyana, cannot, and should not, slowdown. Since neither Pres. Ali nor Vice President Jagdeo said one word about ‘internal meddling’, I follow the lead of these two honorable Guyanese. Ambassador Theriot must have something to offer about how business is properly done, and how Guyana’s PPP Govt should put to the best use possible, all the training and insights that the US invests here. As an American, I seek value for Uncle Sam dollars; as a Guyanese all I seek is clean government, trustworthy leadership, two cornerstones of any vibrant democracy. I give Excellency Theriot a hand.
Jiayi Su is no ordinary offspring, nor is she a run-of-the mill Guyanese presence of Chinese heritage. Her father was a player (likely still is) and now the daughter is going places, with Wales and GY$400 billion up for grabs. Better make that GY$500 billion, when the last dollar is counted. I know nothing, have nothing, against Ms. Jiayi. Save for her remarkable family ties. And the remarkable manner in which a contract from Lindsayca-CH4 became hers.
Surely, given pedigree and related history, Ambassador Theriot would feel incentivized to look and get a feel for the Lindsayca-CH4-Jiayi-Tropical Construction connection. She doesn’t have the bona fides, but her company is at Wales and doing a shabby job. Is Lindsayca-CH4 of Houston, TX, now a happy extension/reflection of Guyana’s tricky, often sloppy, procurement system? Surely, Ambassador Theriot would be intrigued. Moreover, if the US Ambassador is truly a friend of democratic processes, and aiding Guyana’s tottering steps towards democracy’s ideals, then she would peek behind the curtain that wraps Lindsayca-CH4 and Tropical Construction in a curiously tight contract dance. What more resides behind the curtains of the Jiayi-Tropical award?
Last, the ambassador should know that US interests and US millions are inextricably woven in the Wales GTE dream that now incorporates many nightmares. I implore Excellency Theriot to do her part, to ensure that US companies are exemplary in their Guyana business ops. There may be extras through spiking Chinese ambitions in that Wales plot-play-and putout affair. Over to the ambassador.
