Dear Editor,
The news is extraordinary. According to international figures, our small nation, Guyana, has secured the top spot in the world for oil production per capita, outpacing seasoned giants like Saudi Arabia and Norway. With an output of 900,000 barrels per day and over US$60 billion invested in the Stabroek Block, our country is, on paper, unimaginably rich. We are set to produce 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030, confirming our status as a global energy superpower.
However, step away from the dazzling headlines. Look at the reality on the ground.
The global triumph is set against a pervasive backdrop of local tragedy. Despite leading the world in per capita oil wealth, destitution and desperation is widespread. The wealth has not begun to “trickle down.” This is the core absurdity: the production confirms our resource wealth, but the persistent poverty confirms that production does not automatically equate to progress or shared profit. For too many Guyanese families, the black gold beneath our waters has yielded only empty pockets.
This immense wealth is not the sole property of a select few. It is our national patrimony. It belongs to every single Guyanese citizen. Every one of us is entitled to a fair and immediate share of the benefits derived from this non-renewable asset.
We must stir agitation and advocacy now. This generational wealth must be secured and deployed to benefit the populace immediately. We demand the immediate implementation of the following policies, which must be funded by non-negotiable, ring-fenced allocations from the oil revenues:
The Universal Health & Wellness Fund (UH&WF): Allocate a fixed percentage of annual royalty revenue to guarantee free, high-quality primary preventative healthcare for all citizens and fully rehabilitate and equip every regional hospital nationwide.
The “Future Generations” Education Endowment: Dedicate a non-negotiable percentage of profit oil to fund universal, free tertiary scholarships, a student-debt pay-off for those willing to return home and provide digital tools to every student, preparing our youth for a diversified economy.
The Citizens’ Dividend Trust (CDT): Establish a fund to provide a regular direct cash transfer to every registered Guyanese citizen, offering immediate economic relief and a tangible connection to our national wealth.
The Immediate Lifeline: Food Security E-Voucher Program (NFSEP)
To tackle the most immediate crisis—the spiraling cost of food—we propose the immediate implementation of the National Food Security E-Voucher Program (NFSEP), operationalized through the CDT:
• Inflation-Proof Aid: Eligible low-income households will receive a monthly E-Voucher loaded onto a personalized smart-card. The value will be automatically adjusted based on the official Food Price Index, guaranteeing that the aid keeps pace with rising costs.
• Focused on Health and Local Economy: The E-Voucher can only be used for nutritious food. Furthermore, the program will offer bonus credit when benefits are spent on locally sourced fruits, vegetables, and staples, supporting our farmers and promoting national health.
The time for production without progress is over. We cannot be the world’s richest nation per capita while our people suffer destitution. Our national wealth must be leveraged to build a nation where prosperity is the rule, not the exception. We demand action. The time for a better share is now.