Dear Editor,
Discussion regarding the renegotiation of the oil contract signed by the APNU/AFC roars on, quite to the chagrin of normal, thinking, civilized people.
The reasons for our annoyance are that: it is an argument that lacks merit, and it is a total waste of time when you consider the options available to Government.
From the point of view of the Opposition, renegotiation is just a “stroll in the park deal,” that can be fixed with the simple utterance of the word and the problem is solved — something akin to an automatic changeover.
The Opposition view renegotiation as a ghetto fabulous situation between two yardies, where each one is trying to outdo the other in a shouting match, and the one who shouts the loudest wins the match.
Well, I am sorry to announce that this is not a shouting match, neither is it a matter of who shows the greater enthusiasm in the situation; it all boils down to the cold, hard facts of turning things around in a legally-binding contract signed between a legitimate Government and the oil giant ExxonMobil.
The simplistic handling of a mega contract by the Opposition would not be able to stand the test of erudite upscale arguments. It therefore means that the Government would be wiped clean when the finer details of the contract are placed on the negotiating table.
These are the pointed questions Opposition agitators should ask themselves, and not come on the media with that pity party face to gain sympathy. What is the Opposition really telling us with this crazy push for renegotiation? Are they concerned about the loss we’ve sustained from that lopsided deal? Are they really remorseful of their actions and the opportunities we suffered as a result of their gross mismanagement of our resources?
Well, I think not. What I see is a Coalition that is as duplicitous as it has ever been; one shedding crocodile tears now that its iniquitous dealing has been exposed.
If those in the Opposition do care for this country, then could they tell the nation on which side of the renegotiating table would Nigel Hughes sit? Would he be on the patriotic side of the fence, to speak in true renegotiating language, or would he be on the side he sits on at the present moment; that is, save my pocket and let the country go down the chute?
Make no mistake, Nigel Hughes has categorically expressed that he would remain the legal representative of ExxonMobil, and no one else. This is someone who intentionally misleads people by saying different things on different occasions. It is therefore pellucid that this man would not relinquish his lucrative gains from the oil company for the greater prospects of the land of his birth.
Please note that any new contract means that some things would have to be given up on both sides. Would the present administration be willing to give up certain privileges of the recently negotiated local content? Would we be willing to give the oil giant the leverage in the original deal to import their own food and vehicles duty-free? This is an area that the PPP/C government built into the contract, which APNU/AFC conveniently left out.
In that local content clause, ordinary Guyanese can now earn billions in business earnings, things that were hitherto denied us. Could we contrast a loss of billions in local content with a mere 4% (at best) increase in royalties in a new contract? These are the issues that confront us, and for which we must give careful consideration.
We would not waste valuable time on a deal that would cause us to lose so much and gain so little; we must leave what is behind us and focus on the greater good that lies ahead of us.
In closing, I must call on my people to be ever vigilant when choosing their government. Do not allow yourself to be duped into believing that duplicitous people would ever change their evil ways. The lot that forms the Opposition are dishonest, deceitful, double-tongued politicians who would make statements that suit their position, with no care for the masses.
The crew now clamouring for renegotiation comprises the very same individuals who made a secret lopsided deal that was hidden from the public for two long years; the question, then, is, could we trust them to hold the reins of power? The answer is a resounding no! We cannot allow that ghastly experiment to take root here again. It is pellucidly clear that the people of this great country have already made up their minds about which party should be given the right to manage our affairs.
Respectfully,
Neil Adams
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