What is the Government’s role in the oil and gas industry?

Dear Editor,
In recent times, in fact, I should say since the PPP/C Government has taken office, the Opposition has began a campaign to block all developmental projects in this country. At the top of the list is the Oil and Gas Industry which is a major source of revenue by the present government. There have been numerous high-level litigations by The Opposition and its suspect NGOs, with the clear understanding that they are going to be an obstacle in the way of anything developmental or progressive.
For their part, a brainless opposition poses no real threat to the government; however, these so-called NGOs believe that they can become a pesky, oppressive force, enough to bring down the government. I pause at this juncture to highlight the fact that these NGOs and associate trade unions do not act alone, most of them are financed and controlled by big multinational corporations or are simply aligned with the opposition. And Like I said, their combined effort, is to be a burdensome noose around the government’s neck, and to seek into avenues where they can slow down or stop a government’s progressive movement. But we will not allow our country to be derailed by detractors and naysayers.
It also means that our justices ought to be keen on following worldwide trends as it relates to the menacing act of these organizations. Justices must be avid readers, and updated research fellows in oil and gas affairs. They can ill afford to have their courts highjacked by persons with ulterior motives because an entire nation can be affected, and a country can either rise or fall in the circumstances.
Therefore, whenever cases of this nature comes up, the questions that should be asked are; who are you a representative of? On whose behalf are you pleading a case? If it’s on behalf of The People of Guyana, then, where is a list of signatures of a representative sample of “The People” they claim to represent? Further, should the court rule in their favour, who should be the beneficiaries of the largesse, is it the people or the organization? These are all pointed questions that should be asked of the justices who adjudicate in such matters.
In the present scenario, The Government of Guyana should have no say in the management of The Oil and Gas Industry, this is according to opposition sentiments. In their world, government should seek permission from those sources before moving forward; a fantastic way to gain relevance in any society.
Now, in the first place, contracts were signed between ExxonMobil and The Elected Government of Guyana, that’s the law, and that’s how the civilized world operates. Nowhere in that contract was there a clause that includes NGOs or the opposition. Hence it behooves us to pay heed to the government and not its detractors. We must focus on development and forward movement.
On the other hand, the role of the Elected Opposition is to bring their concerns, grouses, or what have you, to parliament for discussions, and table your motions for an educated debate. These concerns may include NGO concerns also, it would be a thesis, antitheses, and finally, a synthesis to come up with the way forward on major projects. Parliament is the acme forum for all government programmes, and for this selfsame reason we elect governments to manage our affairs every 5 years.
Finally, Guyanese are wiser now we can choose for ourselves the group of persons that have the wisdom to manage our economy. Let our elected government do its work unhindered.

Respectfully,
Neil Adams