Dear Editor,
I was recently looking at a video of our President being interviewed by British television on the matter of reparative justice. This was close in date to COP 28. During the interview, our President made his case for why the United Kingdom should compensate the Caribbean for the period of slavery. Unfortunately, the hosts mocked him and asked if he wanted the British to give him one of their palaces. It is quite eye opening to viewers to see the high level of naivety displayed by someone in such a high office in our country. Even under an Indian Prime Minister India was unable to get treasures stolen during their colonial period returned to their country. Much less payment for atrocities committed centuries ago.
The British have conquered many people and continue to take advantage of others not because of superior intellect, but because of their unity and ability to keep their governance system strong and free from internal corruption in key institutions. Others have unfortunately been so brow beaten that they have become submissive. In addition, it is also easy to find the willing scoundrel who can easily betray his or her people for a seat at their table and crumbs in his or her belly.
Our President would better serve our people by shedding the veil of naivety and insisting on the renegotiation of the oil contracts with Exxon. This injustice is not occurring centuries in the past but is happening now and can be stopped if action is taken by our government. Instead of Jagdeo visiting the King he should be summoning Exxon to meet with him to renegotiate the contract. We are dealing with a people whose culture is to take advantage of others via slavery and unpaid indentureship.
They don’t give a damn about our suffering and needs. What they care about is getting the most for themselves and keeping others poor, submissive, vulnerable and obedient to their will. Guyana doesn’t need the kind of leaders who will betray their own for a quick dollar and a seat at their master’s table. We need leaders who appreciate the sacrifices made by our ancestors to regain freedom and self-determination in a world where enslavers are quick to take advantage of the weak and those of weak character. The scandal around the Gas- to- Energy project is not a matter of conflict of interest. It is a matter of shared interest. Many scoundrels will benefit from the participation of the unscrupulous. This is the sort of selling out of our people that we must put an end to. CRG has said this many times before, the tin cup of the PPP is not for begging. We need better leadership to make Guyana strong for the long term. We must rid ourselves of the corrupt and greedy who do not truly care for our people.