Dear Editor,
On Wednesday April 22, the area where I live experienced two power outages, one about noon and the other mid-afternoon, compliments of a well-funded GPL – Guyana Power and Light establishment.
With money not being a problem in Guyana, power ships, et al, the problem has to be poor maintenance, which equals inept management. However, effective management is the linchpin to any project large or small, and until this fundamental deficiency is dealt with bravely and professionally, all the inspiring sounding statements, and massive investments with our recent money galore will mean little.
This Wednesday April 22, we learnt of another US$250 million to be pumped into our glorious Gas-to-Energy project, when ever this magnificent idea is translated into reality, will there be better management? It is no use crying over spilt milk, but last evening after a discussion I had with knowledgeable persons, the question was posed, why not a network of solar power, or the use of wind power, or the intelligent use of hydro power from our rivers, which was effectively used in places like Tumatumari.
In each of the above the cost will be far less than our present adventure with the Gas to shore energy project. In Guyana even during the rainy season, we are blessed with sun everyday, we should therefore optimise the use of solar power taking advantage of recent improvements in the harnessing and storage of the blessing of daily sunshine. Similar arguments can be advanced for wind and hydro power.
Dear editor and citizens, is anyone listening, or are we being influenced and dictated to by the same philosophy that resulted in centuries of imperial domination where our human and natural resources were exploited for the benefit of our erstwhile masters. This recurring tragedy as we saw in Africa, India, and Latin America, in every instance this lopsided development and exploitation, had complicity of those we earlier described as the native chiefs and today they are styled presidents, prime ministers, rulers and diplomats. I recommend for necessary reading, for all members of parliament Walter Rodney’s excellent work, “How Europe Under-developed Africa”.
A recurring tragedy is how easily local leaders cooperate with the imperial masters. History has a puckish way of repeating itself, a good example is the horrors of slavery and the exploitation of countries natural resources, this could not have lasted centuries without active cooperation of the chiefs, tribal, village and religious leaders.
In today’s Guyana an overview of oil, gas, gold, and diamonds suggests that this pernicious relationship is in place. The faces have changed; the titles are different but the centuries old exploitative relationship has shifted very little.
As an optimist I look forward to being the beneficiary of the promised reliable supply of electricity, free or cheap within the most recent timeframe of 2026-2027. Perhaps as I approach 92 years, I recall the words in Old Testament Book of Joel which states; “your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
Dear editor and citizens be reminded that there is something constant in human history as we look at our beloved Guyana let us cogitate on the opening and closing lines of the poem written by the abolitionist R.R. Madden; “Behold the peace that’s owned by him who feels he does no wrong, or outrage when he deals in human flesh; … To human suffering, sympathy and shame, his heart is closed, and wealth is all his aim.”