Dear Editor,
OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo must have read my letters and I am happy to note that it appears that way and that he may have had them in mind last week when he called on government to stop playing one-party politics and include all political parties and civic groups when dealing with the oil and gas sector in Guyana.

Readers of the newspapers will know that I have been calling for a broad-based, politically inclusive approach for a long time now. I have said repeatedly that Guyana cannot get the best deals from big players in international business, unless we bring our best team to the negotiating table.

The discovery of oil and gas in Guyana is the most important development in the last 100 years. How we handle this sector will have tremendous impact on our future and that of upcoming generations. The steps we make right now are the most important of all, because they will determine how the industry starts up, how it grows and how our people and children benefit in the future.

It needs to be managed professionally and not be self-centred for corrupt politicians.
To make sure that we get everything right from the start, the team that decides Guyana’s first steps in this vital sector must include the most astute, talented and experienced persons we have in our nation. Any other approach is madness that we will pay for dearly over time.

When I say it must be the best team we can find in the nation, I mean the entire nation, not just half. Any team that is made up of persons from government’s side alone cannot be the best possible team and it will be impossible for them to get the best results.
It does not matter which political party you support, the simple fact is, the opposition represents nearly half of Guyana’s people. Among opposition members and supporters are persons with exceptional skills and experience, whose presence at the negotiating table will definitely increase Guyana’s bargaining power.

I made the point before and I do so again, that the development of Guyana’s oil and gas sector is way too important for members of government and their supporters to do it alone. All political parties, all religious bodies, all members of civil society, all interest groups and relevant institutions must be equally involved. I am surprised that the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers was not involved.

From the start, I have been calling on the government to include the opposition and other local groups and institutions in the decision-making process for the oil and gas sector. This is the only way to ensure consistency and continuity. Otherwise, Guyana’s approach will change every time there is a change of government.

In my previous letters, I have even gone so far as to name opposition members that I think have the know-how and background to be on the best team for Guyana, such as Bharrat Jagdeo himself and former Attorney General Anil Nandlall. But I insist that they must not function as opposition elements, but work for the broad-based good of Guyana. My point is: Guyana’s team must be totally free from partisan politics and must clearly represent all Guyanese.

I must ask, though, whether Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP/Civic would have included the PNC, the WPA and the AFC in matters pertaining to GuySuCo and the oil and gas industry.
Furthermore, I have persistently called on government to include the opposition, as well as key civic groups, organisations and institutions in the planning of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) and the setting up of a petroleum commission to ensure that Guyana’s oil and gas sector is transparent and accountable.

There are many local institutions with the memberships and track records to make significant contributions if their representatives are included. I am referring to the University of Guyana, bankers and lawyers, or the Ethnic Relations Commission or the Universal Peace Federation (Guyana).
I warned Guyanese before and I warn them again: our people will suffer great hardship if

the nation’s oil and gas sector is treated like a political football and large numbers of Guyanese are left out of the decision-making process.
One hand can’t clap. It is time to wake up and smell the coffee.

Sincerely,
Roshan Khan Snr