All eyes are on Pres Ali. I am glued. Lindsayca, the PPP Govt’s carefully selected partner for the natural gas conversion plant and powerplant at Wales, has its hands stretched out. Wanted: a cool US$250 million more to complete the two plants. Otherwise, this is what results. No gas conversion, no power production. No US$250 million, and no cheap electricity. Everything at a standstill. No nothing as it is said in Brooklyn. I am watching Pres. Ali. Of what disposition will he be? What kind of presidential reception for what I conclude is a crude shakedown? What will he do?
He agrees to pay the US$250 million, and he will never hear the end of it. He balks at paying the quarter billion in Yankee dollars, and he may never get to see a Lindsayca finished product at Wales. It was England’s Sir Edward Grey who said “the lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.” It was almost on the cusp of World War I, when he uttered those grimly fatal words. I discern some lights going on all over PPP Govt quarters, and some going out of business in Pres. Ali’s head. I caution: ruff seas in forecast.
I seem to remember that Pres Ali is the champion of that greased beast christened “Sanctity of Contract.” Personally, if Lindsayca cannot do right by Guyana at the original contract price, that’s too bad. Worse, that’s unacceptable, pure bull, has no merit. No, that is not Excellency Ali raging; it’s only li’l ole me. What about Dr. Ali? Where is he? How does he stand on this startling development of Lindsayca checking in for a sweet US$250 million more from Guyana? Some folks take it as an article of faith that Guyana is made of money, and lives and breathes US currency. Perhaps, it does, which explains why there’s so much wheezing to get a few US dollars to transact some overseas business, import a few consumer items. But back to Excellency Ali, what’s his reaction to the US$250 million hustle from Lindsayca?
Present word is that he’s against. Way to go, Sheik Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Show them-these intriguers, plotters, conspirators, and opportunity maximizers-who’s the boss, Mr. President. No to US$250 million. No to even GY$250. Not one blade of an English made 22-gauge machete; unless it’s the business end broadsided across those attempting to skin Guyana for more millions. See! I have Excellency Ali’s back. Question over cocktails: is he similarly committed when Guyana’s back *bankbook) is on the line?
A candid conversation now with fellow citizens: what other choice does Pres. Ali have? Of all Guyana’s leaders, Pres Ali made “Sanctity of Contract” into an inviolable, untouchable, unbreachable construct. A deity that’s a being of infallible supremacy. Having made that bed of nails and forced Guyanese to sleep on it, Dr. Ali now has to try some of his own therapy. He has to live with it, stand with it, and die with it. It is do-or-die time. No talking with Lindsayca about its US$250 million contraption. No listening. No beginning. No continuing. No discussing. Again, no nothing. Just handover a gas complex and an electricity powerhouse, and get out of Guyana on the next plane (or Venezuelan fishing boat). Another thing: both plants had better be in tiptop working order, and remain at peak performance for the next 3-5 years, at least.
This is what I am straining my eyes to hear (yes, hear) Pres Ali stand and deliver in the clearest terms. Let’s hear the old PPP. Down with Lindsayca! Down with US$250 million! Up with the Wales gas-to-Energy project! Time for me to get going, before PPP bricks start flying.
P.S:
Since Pres Ali is such a powerful force for sanctity of contract, he should have thrown out on their heads, all who approached him with Lindsayca’s US$250 million (really, US$170 million) proposition. Next time, FIRED!
