Opinion
The position that Government of Guyana is acting illegally by selling carbon credits of titled Amerindian villages remains uncontested
Reference is made to Joel Bhagwandin’s letter in Stabroek News (July 10, 2023) entitled `Bulkan’s position, supported by Brandli, that the sale of carbon credit is fraudulent is preposterous’. The letter requires a swift response given that several falsehoods are expressed by the author. Claim 1: “The infamous Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN) is…
The National Toshaos’ Council cannot usurp the powers of an Amerindian Village
According to Joel Bhagwandin in his letter ‘Bulkan’s position, supported by Brandli, that the sale of carbon credit is fraudulent is preposterous’ (SN 10 July 2023), any claim that only an Amerindian Village Council has the legal authority to make decisions on leasing ‘any interest’ in Amerindian Village Lands is preposterous. I refer Mr. Bhagwandin to…
De-Dollarization? Not so fast
The previous column discussed several important international functions the dollar performs. The dollar serves as an international store of value enabling countries that earn foreign exchange to save in an easily convertible currency. It serves as a medium of exchange allowing payments beyond the American border. It also serves as a unit of account permitting…
A consultation by govt staff in an Amerindian Village is not the same as a vote at a Village Meeting
I refer to a press release from the Department of Public Information dated 06 July on the illegal sale of carbon credits from forests on titled Amerindian Village Lands. The press statement mainly includes legally incorrect and misleading statements by the Vice-President, and which are damaging to Amerindians. Does Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo understand that a…
I repeat that the sale by the gov’t of carbon credits was fraudulent
Dear Editor, I hope that Joel Bhagwandin knows that plants/trees convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into leaves and wood and roots, and also respire carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere as they generate their energy for survival and growth; see his letter ‘The sale of carbon credits to offset carbon emissions does not breach the Amerindian…
The sale of forest-based carbon credits by the government of Guyana was fraudulent
Dear Editor I support the statements of the Upper Mazaruni District Council (UMDC) which you reported on 28 June (‘Upper Mazaruni council restates that carbon trading consultations defective’). Any Amerindian Village Council can agree to dispose of natural resources of the titled Amerindian Village Lands only through compliance with sections 13, 14, 34 and 44…
Given the provisions of the Amerindian Act this carbon credits deal is indeed illegal
Dear Editor, Reference is made to Mr. Joel Bhagwandin’s letter entitled `The sale of carbon credits to offset carbon emissions does not breach the Amerindian Act’ (see Stabroek News, July 4, 2023). The author is colossally missing a key point of the carbon credit trade business and he is falling short of understanding the arguments…
De-Dollarization: Is it real?
The topic of de-dollarization is all over the popular press these days. Some have been predicting the demise of the American dollar for decades, while others have taken the enlightened view that the world will be a better place if international payments are settled in a multipolar currency framework, involving about four or five dominant…
It should be obvious that two weeks of public consultation on the new draft oil law is grossly inadequate
Dear Editor, We write in connection with the new draft oil law. We would appreciate information on the following: The timetable for this new Bill, including the parliamentary process and committee stages of consideration and amendment; How this timetable compares with the customary timetable for tabling and revising Guyanese legislation; The process which will be used…
Speculation on gas to energy project
Dear Editor, If the Attorney-General (A-G) said in the ongoing case that it is in the best interests of the State to go ahead with the Gas-to-Energy project (GtE) then he is getting into the realm of speculation and asking the judge and the public to trust him. Against all the norms of decent democracy,…