THERE has never been any doubt as to the PPP/C government’s socio-economic development plans for the country, inclusive of which is using its abundant sources of renewable energy as a means of replacing fossil fuel. 

The reasons for this are many-fold, beginning with the importance of creating a green economy, thereby mitigating the creeping dangers of climate change; affording the nation a cheaper rate of energy charge, which would result from a significant reduction in fossil fuel prices; and allowing manufacturers to expand their businesses, particularly in the direction of value-added products.
The above explains why the government has brought the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Bill to Parliament for legislation, so as to begin what would be the country’s most important socio-economic project that would forever change all our lives, setting the country firmly on the road to modernisation.
But the painful story of the combined political opposition stymieing the acceptance of this Bill is well known. Their motive? Unbelievably, playing politics; for it is unthinkable that they are not aware of the significance of such a historic project, with the great economic benefits that such will bestow on the nation.
Therefore, yesterday’s address by Dr. Warren William Smith, President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) at its 44th Annual Meeting of its Board of Governors, was as timely as it was significant for the salient truths when he pronounced, in quite unambiguous and forceful language full of development realities, that because of the Region’s reliance on imported fuels and high electricity costs, the region is uncompetitive.
His advice is quite simple, but honestly objective: New sources of energy must be created. Immediately, one must ask the question: Did the political opposition, both the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), listen to the eminent speaker’s advice? And if they did, then what are they going to do about such a reminder?
Surely, it must have been happy on the part of government to listen to a truism which they have been battling valiantly to realise in the context of Guyana’s development; and, yet again, painful to know that an intransigent opposition with a mediaeval mindset, refusing to join in the efforts of moving Guyana along the line, as outlined by the CDB president.
It is instructive to note that Dr. Smith emphasised the significance of Guyana having enough renewable energy potential that can supply its domestic needs, all of CARICOM, and even neighbouring Brazil.
Did the political opposition hear Dr. Smith’s address on renewable sources of energy, and its centrality for higher economic growth?