Realisation has just struck home for APNU/AFC

Dear Editor,
The David Granger-led caretaker Government is a stranger to the truth and even when the truth and facts are staring them straight in their faces they refuse to acknowledge it. Harmon continues to preach to the choir about allegations of irregularities, and Guyana has now become subsumed in controversy over these elections – example, on multiple occasions, David Granger’s APNU/AFC representatives have alleged that persons who had died prior to the March 2 election had been found to have cast a ballot. These are sinister statements made by the PNCR fraction. The truth of the fact is, David Granger, Joseph Harmon and the APNU/AFC cabal cannot comprehend how they have lost the General and Regional Elections. It’s like APNU/AFC have awakened from a terrible nightmare, the realisation has just struck home that the billions are out of reach and the oil boom which promises to transform Guyana’s economy completely will no longer enter their personal pockets and wallets.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had estimated that Guyana’s real GDP will grow by an extraordinary 85.6 per cent in 2020 alone.
The main problem for Guyanese is the profound distrust for the incumbent, David Granger-led Government, instead of viewing the oil revenues as a source of wealth for the nation and the citizens of Guyana, the caretaker Government turned its oil income into a zero-sum game by immediately hiding from the people of Guyana the first monies they received from Exxon Mobil in the form of a signing bonus of US$18 million. It was Granger’s caretaker Government’s intent from the inception to use the vast amount of resources to remain in power—effectively preventing the people of Guyana from accessing those funds. The oil discoveries intensified the rivalry between the PNC and PPP/C however the PPP/C has proven to the world that they had developed Guyana’s economy without oil revenues in the past. It was the David Granger-led caretaker Government that caused Guyana to have an oil deal far below global standards and will lose out on US$55-US$110 billion over the 40-year period of the licence for the Stabroek Block. International corruption watchdog Global Witness has written to Exxon Mobil urging a renegotiation.
In light of the disrespectful and irresponsible behaviour of David Granger and his Caretaker Government toward the people during these elections and recounting process, Guyanese have enough evidence at their fingertips which justify the correct choice in rejecting David Granger and his caretaker Government at the 2020 polls. We cannot afford to have Guyana end up isolated especially with falling oil prices and the suspensions from the OAS and the Commonwealth. These were local and regional leaders that were committed to a transparent electoral process in Guyana. Before our election’s crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic—which has surely worsened our country’s economic situation—Guyana was positioned to assume key hemispheric and international leadership roles due to oil discoveries and its subsequent oil wealth. Our country is expected to produce 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025, and although the price of oil has significantly dropped, the Exxon-led consortium of oil and gas companies remains invested. The oil discoveries and a newly elected PPP/C Administration will set the stage for Guyana to use its newfound wealth and influence to play an increased role in the region and globally. Currently, Guyana is already the Chair of the Group of 77, a forum within the United Nations which could use to enhance our standing as a Leader for the developing world. The oil resources belong to the people of Guyana, the PPP/C elected Government will ensure that oil revenue works for every Guyanese and is spent on improving Guyanese lives, in support of job creation. Guyanese we must come together to develop and promote forgiveness and reconciliation in community building across this nation.
A joint statement from the ABCE diplomats in Guyana could not have put it over better for every Guyanese to harness that unity during this time of healing and coming together of every Guyanese regardless of party affiliation when they said to the Guyanese citizens:
“We congratulate those who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to ensuring full transparency in the recount process. This includes political parties, staff of the Guyana Elections Commission, scrutineers from the Caribbean Community and the Organisation of American States, the Advisor from the Commonwealth and observers.
The dedication of all is a credit to the democratic process in Guyana. We also commend President Granger and the Leader of the Opposition for their support of the recount, and for their clear commitment to abide by the results. As this process concludes, it is important for all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the process and peacefully accept the wishes of the Guyanese population.
There will be disappointment for those who have lost. Those who are elected must take on this responsibility with humility and demonstrate that they will govern for the benefit of every Guyanese citizen. We encourage party leaders to commit to constitutional reform and reconciliation to ensure every Guyanese, regardless of party affiliation, sees how their Government will work in their best interest. As friends of Guyana, we look forward to working with all parties to further support Guyana’s development for the benefit of all its people.”

Sincerely,
David Adams