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I AM shocked by the arrogance and contempt displayed on a weekly basis by the leadership of a political party, whose supporters were conned in believing they were voting for civility and change. Khemraj Ramjattan appears power drunk and would do or say anything to steal voter-support from Granger’s PNC/APNU.
In 2012, as government announced the July 1 deadline for the withdrawal of electricity subsidy for the town of Linden, the Alliance For Change (AFC) became very active on the frontline of the PNC stronghold, organising protests which eventually led to anarchy and the unfortunate deaths of three “peaceful protestors.” The Opposition efforts to spread this unrest nationwide failed miserably because while the rest of the country were paying the full electricity rates, the people of Linden were enjoying and abusing a $3 billion government electricity subsidy which the AFC and APNU had earlier cut from the 2012 National Budget. They created the atmosphere for lawlessness in the mining town then hid like cowards in the background as law enforcement moved in to stop an insurrection.
They were determined not to be seen as the ringleaders. As if nothing was learnt from this mayhem, the joint Opposition again butchered $5.2 billion from a governmental assistance programme presented in the 2013 National Budget from loans provided by Venezuela, China and the IDB. A significant amount of this subsidy was to run new transmission lines on the coastlands and for the construction of seven new substations designed to reduce Guyana Power and Light (GPL’s) leaky system.
Although the Opposition knew this budget cut would force an electricity rate increase and hardship upon all Guyanese, they are determined to create another scenario similar to Linden that threatens stability and security of our nation.
No one wants to pay more for electricity, but the AFC and APNU must take full responsibility for playing politics, hoping to create dissension among our people. Moreover, the leadership of the Alliance For Change has now clearly demonstrated its intention to influence the emotions of consumers, knowing that this is likely to create civil unrest and anarchy if Ramjattan’s threats to have GPL investigated by the Public Utilities Commission are not complied with. According to an AFC press statement, “The proposed hike in electricity rates by the state controlled GPL must be vigorously resisted by the Guyanese people…The AFC would like to warn the PPP government, that this highly ill-advised and unjustified act on the part of GPL, will be provoking huge national unrest.”
Perhaps the AFC and PNC/APNU should consider making a joint appeal to those Guyanese who feel it is their inherent right to steal electricity from GPL, so that others are not burdened paying for the fuel they consume. And perhaps a joint communiqué to the people of Linden from Granger and Ramjattan would be in order, to finally convince them of the need to do their civic duty: To pay their fair share of the electricity they use, just like everyone else in the rest of the country. This proposed increase by GPL could have been avoided, had the Joint Opposition been thinking of the Guyanese consumer rather than disrupting progress.
GPL is not perfect, and the electricity situation nationwide is less than reliable. But I have not seen a single condemnation by either of the Opposition leaders to their supporters to desist from metre-tampering, and the stealing of electricity.
In fact, one APNU supporter, John Adams, was awarded a seat in Parliament, after he was arrested and taken to Den Amstel Police Station for allegedly stealing electricity from GPL. I guess it’s only corruption when a PPP/C supporter is involved.
A recent CARILEC report shows GPL residential tariffs to be one of the lowest in the region. Only Trinidad, Suriname, and the Bahamas have lower rates. GPL’s last increase in tariffs was in February 2008, more than five years ago. The average increase then was 14 per cent with residential customers facing only six per cent and nine per cent and Government covering a 20 per cent increase. Last year, 79 per cent of GPL’s generation came from Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) which is about 77 per cent cheaper than diesel. This was done primarily to keep electricity rates down. But despite this, according to GPL, “Fuel prices have risen from a weighted average of US$64 per barrel in 2006 to US$108 in 2012. In 2006, GPL’s fuel bill was $12.4B while in 2012, this doubled to $24.2B. Last year, fuel alone accounted for 83 per cent of GPL’s tariff revenue, resulting in a loss of $7.8B to the nation’s utility company.”
It is time for the AFC to demonstrate to the Guyanese people that it can be trusted with stewardship of our nation. Provoking regular confrontations with the Administration will not help fulfill their manifesto pledge to the voters. Maturity in politics is mastering the art of compromising not confrontations.
How can Khemraj Ramjattan justify his leadership role in a political party that has accomplished noting for his constituency? How can we as a nation, attract tourists and investors and regain our leadership role in the region, when thoughtless, selfish Opposition forces use every means to disrupt the economy with threats of “huge national unrest”? When will Granger and Ramjattan put country first, and recognise that Guyanese want their leaders to stop fighting and work together in the national interest? Is this too much to expect from our politicians?
In 2012, as government announced the July 1 deadline for the withdrawal of electricity subsidy for the town of Linden, the Alliance For Change (AFC) became very active on the frontline of the PNC stronghold, organising protests which eventually led to anarchy and the unfortunate deaths of three “peaceful protestors.” The Opposition efforts to spread this unrest nationwide failed miserably because while the rest of the country were paying the full electricity rates, the people of Linden were enjoying and abusing a $3 billion government electricity subsidy which the AFC and APNU had earlier cut from the 2012 National Budget. They created the atmosphere for lawlessness in the mining town then hid like cowards in the background as law enforcement moved in to stop an insurrection.
They were determined not to be seen as the ringleaders. As if nothing was learnt from this mayhem, the joint Opposition again butchered $5.2 billion from a governmental assistance programme presented in the 2013 National Budget from loans provided by Venezuela, China and the IDB. A significant amount of this subsidy was to run new transmission lines on the coastlands and for the construction of seven new substations designed to reduce Guyana Power and Light (GPL’s) leaky system.
Although the Opposition knew this budget cut would force an electricity rate increase and hardship upon all Guyanese, they are determined to create another scenario similar to Linden that threatens stability and security of our nation.
No one wants to pay more for electricity, but the AFC and APNU must take full responsibility for playing politics, hoping to create dissension among our people. Moreover, the leadership of the Alliance For Change has now clearly demonstrated its intention to influence the emotions of consumers, knowing that this is likely to create civil unrest and anarchy if Ramjattan’s threats to have GPL investigated by the Public Utilities Commission are not complied with. According to an AFC press statement, “The proposed hike in electricity rates by the state controlled GPL must be vigorously resisted by the Guyanese people…The AFC would like to warn the PPP government, that this highly ill-advised and unjustified act on the part of GPL, will be provoking huge national unrest.”
Perhaps the AFC and PNC/APNU should consider making a joint appeal to those Guyanese who feel it is their inherent right to steal electricity from GPL, so that others are not burdened paying for the fuel they consume. And perhaps a joint communiqué to the people of Linden from Granger and Ramjattan would be in order, to finally convince them of the need to do their civic duty: To pay their fair share of the electricity they use, just like everyone else in the rest of the country. This proposed increase by GPL could have been avoided, had the Joint Opposition been thinking of the Guyanese consumer rather than disrupting progress.
GPL is not perfect, and the electricity situation nationwide is less than reliable. But I have not seen a single condemnation by either of the Opposition leaders to their supporters to desist from metre-tampering, and the stealing of electricity.
In fact, one APNU supporter, John Adams, was awarded a seat in Parliament, after he was arrested and taken to Den Amstel Police Station for allegedly stealing electricity from GPL. I guess it’s only corruption when a PPP/C supporter is involved.
A recent CARILEC report shows GPL residential tariffs to be one of the lowest in the region. Only Trinidad, Suriname, and the Bahamas have lower rates. GPL’s last increase in tariffs was in February 2008, more than five years ago. The average increase then was 14 per cent with residential customers facing only six per cent and nine per cent and Government covering a 20 per cent increase. Last year, 79 per cent of GPL’s generation came from Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) which is about 77 per cent cheaper than diesel. This was done primarily to keep electricity rates down. But despite this, according to GPL, “Fuel prices have risen from a weighted average of US$64 per barrel in 2006 to US$108 in 2012. In 2006, GPL’s fuel bill was $12.4B while in 2012, this doubled to $24.2B. Last year, fuel alone accounted for 83 per cent of GPL’s tariff revenue, resulting in a loss of $7.8B to the nation’s utility company.”
It is time for the AFC to demonstrate to the Guyanese people that it can be trusted with stewardship of our nation. Provoking regular confrontations with the Administration will not help fulfill their manifesto pledge to the voters. Maturity in politics is mastering the art of compromising not confrontations.
How can Khemraj Ramjattan justify his leadership role in a political party that has accomplished noting for his constituency? How can we as a nation, attract tourists and investors and regain our leadership role in the region, when thoughtless, selfish Opposition forces use every means to disrupt the economy with threats of “huge national unrest”? When will Granger and Ramjattan put country first, and recognise that Guyanese want their leaders to stop fighting and work together in the national interest? Is this too much to expect from our politicians?
