A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity (APNU), yesterday, welcomed the negotiations between Brazil and Guyana, on a deep water harbour, hydroelectricity and an all-weather road. But the APNU spokesman on economics, Mr. Carl Greenidge said much more consultations on the local front would have been appropriate.
In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he said it is regrettable that the projects had not been pursued even more actively in the past.
Greenidge recalled that they had been in the pipeline under the leadership of then Brazilian President Lula Da Silva.
The former Guyanese Finance Minister posited that it is always better, when a country is embarking on schemes of such a large magnitude, to have greater consultations with its stakeholders, inclusive of affected communities, the Private Sector and political opposition, among others.
According to Greenidge, if pursued incorrectly, big undertakings like those can, possibly, derail the economy at large.
He pointed to the Skeldon Sugar Factory which, to date, is the single biggest investment in the country’s history but is still plagued by problems.
Greenidge reminded of the subsidies still required to be met by government for the sugar industry and also the Guyana Power & Light (GPL).

STILL REQUIRED          
He claimed several billion dollars have been invested in the electricity company, over the years, but, up to now, heavy subsidy is still required for it to be maintained.
Greenidge said the proposed deep water harbour is linked directly to the road to Brazil and he is unaware of any consulting done with the affected stakeholders.
Speaking about the road especially, he said its construction would have to take into consideration inherent difficulties like security and trafficking of persons and contraband dealings.
As it relates to the harbour, Geenidge said he does not believe there is enough information available on whether the port should be established in the Berbice area or in Linden, as had also been proposed in some quarters.
He remarked, too, that, too many times, the Administration undertakes bargaining and the details of which are not readily made known. So, in light of the announcement of that with the Brazilians, the pre-Budget talks with the Opposition are now just a ‘sideshow.’  
According to Greenidge, no discussions on the Budget can be had outside of the projects now being negotiated as they will, invariably, have to be represented in national expenditures.

SEVERAL THINGS
He said, when the Budget conversations resume this week, APNU would like to also be presented with the necessary documentation regarding the several things being talked about.
Guyana yesterday wrapped up two days of intense bargaining with the high level Brazilian delegation, led by its Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Clemente Baena Soares, at the Guyana International Conference Centre.
The Guyanese delegation was led by Executive Secretary of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Mr. Winston Brassington and included officials of the Ministries of Public Works and Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), among others.
A formal report with concrete proposals and deadlines for implementation, coming out of the talks, will be presented to the Presidents of Guyana and Brazil by June 30, but Ambassador Soares has expressed hope that there would be more meetings, prior to the reporting.