Dear Editor,
I WISH to share some layman’s views on the ongoing debate and discussions relating to the oil and gas sector, which I sometimes believe lacks objectivity, is designed to suit personal interests, and as a means of settling vendetta rather than provide facts to educate Guyanese.

We must admit that ordinary Guyanese are confused about developments occurring within the oil and gas sector, mostly because of deliberate misinformation, and failure by media outlets to retract mistruths when the facts are provided. Added to this, includes organisations such as Article 13, which is self-proclaimed as the standard for transparency and accountability, and headed by a man who himself was accused of fraud at a telephone company. In an effort to save face, this man resigned to avoid being fired in 2012.

Fast forward to today, this very same man is now declaring himself as the epitome of transparency and accountability, with the knowledge and wisdom to lead Guyana on a path free from corruption and wrongdoings. Mind you, this very organisation, Article 13, a self-proclaimed anti-corruption advocate, is selective on the companies, organisations, and individuals that they intend to target and shakedown. However, they continue to base their nuances on hearsay, and not on technical experiences or facts from those qualified to do so. While Article 13 claimed to interact with “international watchdog groups”, it would be interesting to know the name of these “international watchdog groups”. Yet this was the lead headline in Kaieteur News, “International watchdog groups believe Exxon calling the shots on Guyana’s oil”. Are we now quoting phantom international watchdog groups? Or is Article 13 now the mouthpiece for “International Watchdog Groups” we don’t know of?

It is not surprising that in everything the government does, a long list of disgruntled souls rush to the fore with cardboard armors, disregarding how unintelligent they sound just to oppose what the government is doing. The list includes Article 13, GHRA, David Patterson, Vincent Adams, and Winston Jordan, just to credit a few who were unseated by the current government, and their dissatisfaction is understood as they once enjoyed the ‘good life’ which was only for a selected few.

Editor, how much longer will we tolerate the usual unfounded cries without evidence of corruption, cronyism, civil rights, accountability, and transparency by the very people guilty of these rather than use the valuable space in our media for constructive criticisms and educate all our people for the bountiful future ahead for generations to come.

Yours sincerely,
T. Williams