Opinion
Hold approvals for Liza Phase-2 until Phase-1 costs verified – Mangal
Government should put all approvals for ExxonMobil’s Liza Phase-2 on hold until a complete review of the Liza Phase-1 project cost is done, former Government Adviser on Petroleum Dr Jan Mangal says. “I believe a real and substantive review still needs to be performed of the Liza Phase-1 project cost before approval of the production…
Questions for Minister Gaskin on Esso’s pre-contract costs
I have 13 questions for Business Minister Dominic Gaskin on Exxon’s Esso’s pre-contract costs 1.By the end of which year does the Minister expect to honour the US$4.4 Billion Pre-Contract Costs claim, referred to by the Public and Government Affairs Officer; Ms. Deedra Moe of Exxon’s Esso, in Stabroek News, dated September 9, 2018? 2….
GRA does not have capacity to review oil contract costs, gov’t should hold approval for Liza 2 until issues fixed
It has been reported that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will review contract costs proposed by ExxonMobil for its work as a contractor to the Government in the Stabroek Block. If the Government intends to undertake a rigorous review of the contract costs, this is not the optimal route. Instead, the Government will be taking…
Let us source the needed funds from our oil resources now for teachers, sugar industry
How could we have billions of barrels of oil in 2018 and not be able to pay our teachers a living wage? The value of having the requisite quality of well-paid and motivated teachers of the highest calibre will reverberate across this nation in positive ways that will lift Guyana out of its morass. Let…
Jan Mangal warns that cash payouts could distract from clawing back wealth
Former presidential advisor Jan Mangal has warned that while cash payouts from oil revenue may have an important role to play in the future, at this point it could be a distraction from the larger goal of clawing back wealth. His reference in a Facebook post today to clawing back of wealth will be seen…
We should be renegotiating royalties to some normalcy for the ever-increasing amount of oil being discovered
If our division was not race it would probably be religion or class or the hue of skin within a race or some other quotient. We humans have a propensity to create/embrace unnecessary barriers that hinder our progress. Money is such an attraction to our senses; we tend to see it as a cure-all, thus…
Minister Gaskin’s figures imply much higher cost per barrel than has been projected
On Friday August 17th, the Stabroek News published a letter by Business Minister Gaskin titled, `Mr Hinds completely omitted the profit sharing component of the Esso deal’. The Minister’s math does not compute. His cost per barrel is significantly more than what both Hess and the IMF have stated. I will work backwards from the…
Prof. Thomas’ cash payout proposal: Don’t even go there
Here is an idea that should be given top priority. Guyana needs to build up an entrepreneurial class. Guyana needs to develop a class of Guyana’s Product Brands. (Currently Guyana has only one such brand -15-year-old rum. Europe and North America cannot get enough of Guyana’s rum). Guyana needs a dozen new export products not…
Some thoughts on the Green Paper
I hope the Green Paper on the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is a work in progress. The paper outlines a fiscal rule for withdrawals and the passive investment strategies for the foreign assets that will make up the Natural Resource Fund (NRF). It is quite intuitive why a NRF is necessary. It’s like a…
Guyanese political, civil and media leadership need to stand united against this ignoble 2% contract
1. What wisdom can you find greater than kindness. 2. What justice can you find greater than a fair contract. 3. What courage can you find greater than to fight for what is right. 4. What temperance can you find greater than perseverance. Wisdom, Justice, Courage and Temperance, these are the virtues that have stood…