NOT that the warning bells were not sounded by Sithe Global of its intention to withdraw from the Amaila Falls Hydro Project if  there was not political consensus on this most important socio-economic project in the history of Guyana.

They had been sounded specifically at that very important discussion that involved Sithe and stakeholders, inclusive of the political opposition parties.
At that  gathering, the president of  that company  had emphasized not only the importance of the project, but that one of such magnitude can only succeed, once there is full support especially from the opposition parties. So the opposition parties would have departed from the conference centre, with an unambiguous understanding as to the reality of the project’s advancement, without their support.
Surely, Sithe’s emissary would have answered all questions on issues raised by the political opposition. And as is now known, the Alliance For Change, that had begun to indicate a change of heart, before that important meeting, finally rose to the occasion of a responsible political party that understood its patriotic duty, by giving its parliamentary approval. Full marks must be given to this party for acting in the national interest, after having received satisfactory answers to its queries.
But not the A Party For National Unity, the more senior of the two opposition parties, that has again showed its anti-national position on a most fundamental development project.
This latest development must have implications for hydro power development in Guyana, since there must now be uncertainty as to its continued progress. But the President, who no doubt is very disappointed about this latest impasse, has made clear his and cabinet’s intention to “work hard to try to do what we can to save this project and also try to expand it, try to get this project on stream because it is of importance to the development of the country”.
This is the hallmark of a great leader who, despite such  a grave setback, remains undaunted. Amaila will succeed in the end, for it is a project that has been conceived with only the best interests of the nation in mind.