Dear Editor,
I am writing to express deep concern about the growing influence of ExxonMobil in Guyana and the devastating impact its presence is having on our nation.
What was once hailed as a beacon of economic hope has increasingly become a blight on our country. ExxonMobil is not here to uplift Guyanese people; rather, their operations seem designed to widen the gap between the wealthy and the poor. Today, the cost of living is spiraling out of control, and the poorest 58% of our population are struggling to afford basic necessities.
It is disheartening to watch as the company throws small, token gestures at our communities—pittances disguised as corporate social responsibility—while the desperate and the opportunistic cheer them on. These crumbs do nothing to address the systemic challenges we face, and they are an insult to the dignity of our people.
Recent reports indicate that ExxonMobil has now completed the payoff for its initial projects. This milestone should mean that Guyana begins to earn its rightful 50% share of revenues. Yet, to date, we have received no clarification from the company or the government on how this will be implemented or what it truly means for the people. This silence is unacceptable.
Meanwhile, our public service wages remain at peasant-level lows, social programs offer $100 here and $200 there, and our expenses now rival or even eclipse the cost of living in the United States. How can our leaders claim progress when the majority of Guyanese cannot afford to feed their families?
What is truly insidious is the way ExxonMobil manipulates its image. It is alleged that every cent they claim to “invest” in corporate social responsibility is expensed back to the Guyanese people. We are essentially paying for our own crumbs. This is not philanthropy; it is exploitation dressed in goodwill.
Our leaders appear naive or willfully blind to these machinations. While they celebrate the illusion of prosperity, the nation is being sold out piece by piece. ExxonMobil and the greedy Guyanese enablers who cheer them on are destroying the very fabric of our society.
Editor, I implore you to bring this message to the public. Our people deserve to know the truth. They deserve transparency, accountability, and leaders who will fight for their interests, not the interests of foreign corporations.
The future of Guyana hangs in the balance, and we cannot afford to stay silent any longer.
Yours sincerely,
Randy GoPaul
