Opinion
The export-led growth model that does not generate tax revenues is unsustainable
Guyana’s oil export led growth model leaves important gaps in Government financing that could pose sustainability threats for whichever Government is in office. One has to go back to fundamentals and ask if the engine of growth makes any contribution to the Central Government’s current or capital budget, beyond its 2 percent Royalty that Guyana…
Exxon and Hess give thanks: A turkey named Guyana
Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded – Column 144 Thanksgiving has been silently making its presence felt in Guyana with the Black Friday sale looked forward to by shoppers spending on things they do not need because they will save on Black Friday spending. The idea is an incident of Thanksgiving…
Modi’s visit – euphoria vs reality
Introduction The first visit to Guyana by an Indian Prime Minister since 1968 played out well for Narendra Modi back home. The twin objectives of the three-day visit were the CARICOM-India Summit and bilateral talks with Guyana, exchanges between the world’s most populous country and part of the Indian subcontinent and a tiny region of…
Referendum needed only because of Govt’s spinelessness to do its job demanding renegotiations
Christopher Ram’s survey indicating an overwhelming 94% of the people wanting renegotiations of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), and the daily commentaries that followed, have put the Government in a state of utter confusion and madness undermining arguably the most consequential issue facing our nation. By its deeds, this Government has brandished its…
President Jagan was opposed to the philosophical mentality linked with handouts which I do not recall ever being repudiated by Vice-President Jagdeo
In a recent letter, Ramesh Gampat explained in plain English why it is a ‘fantasy’ to say that Guyanese are rich because of oil. After removing oil from economic calculations, Dr. Gampat showed that ‘Of the 33 countries in the Americas for which data are available, there were 17 countries with per capita income larger…
Do not be afraid of Exxon’s power
The following is a commentary on Dr Bisram’s letter, `Even with a ‘yes’ referendum it would be difficult to convince ExxonMobil to come to the (re)negotiating table’ (SN Nov 9th). He writes: “The idea of a referendum is endorsed as it empowers the public”. No sir, it is to empower the government to do something….
Trump’s victory a reality check for Guyana
Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded – Column 143 The world continues to process the stunning outcome of Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election, with Donald Trump’s unexpected return to power sending shockwaves through global markets. While the political implications are far-reaching, the focus of this column is an examination of what Trump’s…
The cited provisions of the FMAA do not cover this one-off cash grant
It is disturbing that an Ambassador to two major international blocs presents himself merely as a “citizen” while making flawed interpretations of fiscal legislation involving billions in taxpayers’ dollars. While Mr Sasenarine Singh, Guyana’s Ambassador to the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, can express opinions about the Vice President’s…
What is EPA’s evacuation plan and/or advice when citizens suffer from hazardous effects of chemicals of unknown origins?
My empathy is with the residents of Crane who are currently suffering from the effects of ‘some form of hydroxide’ the source/origin of which is unknown. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released that the chemical is ‘some form of hydroxide’. It is hoped that they along with all others engaged will do a thorough…
Renegotiations, referendums and reality – response to Ram & McRae’s Survey
Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded – Column 142 Introduction The response to Ram & McRae’s recent survey on the 2016 Petroleum Agreement was revealing, particularly Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s immediate dismissal of its findings and his attempt to shut down any discussion of a referendum. His reaction betrays a troubling…