Amaila will stand as another monumental APNU/AFC scandal – Ramsammy
… says Norway report exposes Govt as “pathological liars”
Former Government Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy is calling out the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government for lying about the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, particularly its distortion of the
Dr Leslie Ramsammy
contents of the independent fact-based assessment of the initiative.
“Their spin on the Norway technical report on Amaila exemplifies just how much APNU/AFC rely on lies to misinform and fool people,” he stated, noting that the document exposes the party and its members as “pathological liars.”
Government insists that the Norway report confirmed the APNU/AFC’s long held position that the Amaila project is flawed and is a mistake.
Ramsammy, in a public statement, joined countless others in deeming Government’s position a lie, highlighting that the report urges the immediate restart of Amaila as the only and fastest way to achieve a no-emission electricity system and the most sensible way to guarantee the Low Carbon Development
An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project
Strategy and a green economy.
He noted too that the report reaffirms the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) position that the BOOT arrangement is the preferred option for financing the project.
“The report does make reference to certain technical flaws in the design of the project, but pointed out these were previously identified and were in the process of being revised,” he noted.
Additionally, Dr Ramsammy opined that it is the responsibility of those in charge to seek better financial arrangements, if possible.
“It is clear from the report, however, that the cost estimation is similar to other projects of this scale,” Ramsammy outlined.
He pointed out that the report also supports the PPP’s position that Amaila alone cannot meet Guyana’s long-term requirements.
Ramsammy reminded that from the initial moments, APNU/AFC maximally impeded the project.
“When the investor requested a consensus position from Parliament, APNU/AFC rejected the motion to support the construction of Amaila in 2012. They presented one scurrilous objection after another, but the only pertinent reason remains APNU/AFC’s fear that Amaila promised a monumental transformation of our country and the lives of our people. They feared Amaila was too richly endowed with the footprints and DNA of Jagdeo and the PPP. Our people once again became collateral damage in the political mischievousness of the PNC/APNU/AFC nexus,” he surmised.
He detailed that having done everything to stop Amaila in Opposition, APNU/AFC then announced unequivocally they will discontinue Amaila soon after they assumed the seat of government.
Ramsammy noted also that Guyana has already invested major resources on building the roads to Amaila and Guyana does not have to invest a single dollar in the construction and operation of hydropower plant.
“We simply have to purchase the energy generated at an agreed cost starting from about half of what we generate energy at presently and then up to 66 per cent savings. In addition, the annual subvention of more than $9 billion to GPL would end, freeing up these resources for community development projects and initiatives. Our highways and streets could be affordably lighted up everywhere in Guyana,” he explained.
Ramsammy emphasised too that there are more pressing reasons for Amaila, including that more than 90 per cent of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) is dependent on fossil fuel.
“For two major reasons, Caricom countries must pursue a new paradigm: one is purely economics for all the above reasons and the other is environmental and climate change… The high and volatile price of electricity is “sucking the blood” out of Caricom economies. Electricity prices in the Caribbean are among the highest in the world, and they fluctuate greatly with the global price of oil,” he stated.
Moreover, Ramsammy reiterated that terminating Amaila disregards the pursuit of a new energy paradigm for Guyana and Caricom.
“APNU/AFC has a huge propensity to distort the truth and simply lie in order to confuse and distract the Guyanese people. The truth is the Norway Amaila Report reaffirms the PPP’s position that Amaila is sound and urgent. APNU/AFC is true to form and absolutely lying about the report,” he asserted.
To this end, Ramsammy maintained that Amaila will stand as another monumental scandal of the coalition Government.
