NAME a country that would refuse hydro power as part of its socio-economic development, and the automatic answer is that it cannot be located geographically – it does not exist! For there is no developing country which government’s goal is to create a modern state, in which its citizens are able to live peaceful and comfortable lives, will ever refuse such a project.
In fact, it is to be described as perhaps a national development coup for any State which government is able to secure such a project as part of its development priorities. This explains why, in the 1970s, the then Forbes Burnham People’s National Congress(PNC) regime attempted to have such an initiative on its national development list, but it is now history that this was not realized, for reasons that ought not to detain us.

But OBSERVER recalls the groundless reasons consistently offered by the parliamentary opposition parties, the A Partnership for National Unity(APNU) and the Alliance for Change(AFC) party, as the Peoples Progressive Party /Civic(PPP/C) sought to have the Amaila Falls Hydro Project legislatively approved. Of all the anti-national crimes committed by both opposition parties in the life of the soon-to- be dissolved Tenth Parliament, this has been the most painful, particularly from the standpoint of the PNC cum APNU that ought to have known better. Burnham must have turned in his grave!
What is quite significant is that all of the foreign diplomatic missions supported the vital importance of such a groundbreaking project. And even though Sithe Global has withdrawn its funding, compliments of the opposition parties’ inexplicable uncooperativeness – Amaila will live, because another sponsor has been found, as announced by President Ramotar.
So, even if President Donald Ramotar may sound triumphant in tone, he has every right to be, since he has been unswerving in leading the efforts toward advancing the AFHP. He never wavered in his belief that such a project is an absolute for Guyana.
Let it be emphasised, that Amaila is our Crown Jewel for comprehensive change socio-economically, and every Guyanese ought to rally to its support for final legislative approval in the next parliament.
Hydro electricity has the capacity to deepen and widen Guyana’s development, where every facet of national life would change.
Beginning with the national energy sector that has been burdened with astronomical fuel bills, for generating power, thereby resulting in significant budgetary subsidies. Not only will the realisation of hydroelectricity greatly reduce the latter financial requirement, but the savings can be converted for on-going modernisation of the national grid.
Which manufacturing sector would not welcome very low energy charges, that would allow for advancing its range of finished goods to value-added products? It is no secret that this sector has for years complained about the prohibitive energy charges that are a specific constraint on its efforts at expansion. Cheaper energy will allow for job creation. No less too will be the benefits for domestic consumers, who for years have been paying very high energy bills. The realisation of hydro power will therefore redound to more disposable income for this category.
It is no coincidence that this column is being written against the background of President Ramotar’s announcement that energy charges will be reduced by ten percent. Of course, this is welcome news to all, especially the private sector and domestic consumers, since such reduction will accrue to over $3B in disposable savings.
Even though this fortuitous windfall has occurred because of a continued slide in international oil prices, it should excite Guyanese as to the greater exciting, future economic possibilities which the final realisation of the AMFHP holds for Guyana.
To think of hydro power is to think of heightened national prosperity