The Irfaan Ali government is on the brink of political implosion, plagued by corruption scandals and mismanagement that are undermining Guyana’s potential for sustainable growth, so said Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, in his column yesterday.
Forde, a prominent legal figure and shadow Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, sharply criticised the government for its failure to ensure transparency and accountability, particularly in relation to the country’s rapidly expanding oil sector, public infrastructure projects, and procurement system.
In his column, Forde outlines several key areas where the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) governance has faltered, including the mismanagement of oil revenues, political cronyism, and the erosion of democratic institutions. Despite the country’s booming oil economy, Forde argues that the Guyanese public has seen little benefit, while the political elite and foreign corporations continue to reap the rewards.
One of the most pressing issues raised by Forde is the alleged mismanagement of the oil and gas sector. While Guyana’s oil wealth has driven significant economic growth, the PPP/C has been accused of providing excessive tax concessions and production-sharing agreements to foreign oil companies, including ExxonMobil.
Forde pointed to the attempted reduction of ExxonMobil’s audited expenses from US$214 million to just US$3 million in 2023 as a prime example of the lack of transparency and accountability in the sector.
The shadow minister also highlighted the Kingston Waterfront development project, which has been marred by cost overruns and accusations of inflated contracts being awarded to politically connected firms. The Belle Vue Pump Station project, which has seen only 10 percent of the work completed despite millions of dollars being disbursed, is another example of the government’s failed oversight, according to Forde.
In his column, Forde further addressed the so-called “Oil for Infrastructure” deals, alleging that key government figures have received kickbacks from foreign contractors, inflating project costs and delivering subpar results. He also condemned the politicization of the procurement process, which he claims has led to favoritism and corruption, hindering fair competition and delaying critical national infrastructure projects.
Forde’s column did not stop at economic mismanagement; he also raised concerns about the erosion of Guyana’s democratic institutions under the PPP/C. The senior counsel criticised the growing culture of cronyism and nepotism within the administration, where party loyalists and family members are allegedly appointed to key government positions, bypassing merit-based hiring practices. Additionally, Forde expressed alarm over the political interference in the judiciary, citing reports of pressure on judges and the refusal of President Ali to substantively appoint the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice.
According to Forde, the long-term consequences of these governance failures are already apparent. He warned that while the country’s oil wealth could have been used to lift citizens out of poverty, the benefits have largely been siphoned off by the political elite. Public infrastructure and services remain inadequate, and the country’s international reputation has been tarnished by corruption.
Forde has called for urgent attention to the issues, warning that failure to do so would jeopardise Guyana’s future. He cautioned that unless there is a restoration of transparency, accountability, and democratic integrity, the country risks being trapped in a cycle of corruption and mismanagement that will prevent it from reaching its full potential.
The scathing critique from Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde has added fuel to the growing calls for reform and accountability within the PPP/C government. As public dissatisfaction with the administration grows, many are left questioning whether the government can recover from the weight of its numerous scandals, or if Guyana will continue to suffer under its failed leadership.
