NO BRAINER
Kaieteur News – According to Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the financial viability of Wales’ favored onshore gas project is “no brainer” (KN March 21). We in this paper have no problems with anyone claiming something is “no brainer,” and not when such a figure comes with the Vice President of this country. But it’s not because he said it, and only he said it, that Guyanese had to take his word for it. The reality should be far from such, as circumstances have often proven, where the Vice President is concerned.
It may be a hugely huge issue to what those citizens, a Guyanese dissenting, the Vice President can easily think of, as he does not have, what he described as necessary to understand the financial viability of the project proposed gas-to-shore completely in Wales. The Vice President spoke of “Any sensible person with a sense modulus, a small brain, even a residual brain, would understand that.”
Understand what, Mr. Vice President? There is nothing to understand when the Vice President has been a sink of secrecy, with everything related to the project, known only to him and himself. Because it is so simple that even an imbecile or addict, or a child, can understand the financial viability of this much-coveted gas-to-shore project, then it is imperative that the Vice President share everything behind this with Guyana. a project, everything that has made it a viable project, and putting everything relevant to the project on the table for public viewing, full analysis, and public comment full.
To confirm Mr Jagdeo, we are willing to admit that we can be lumped in with those he grieves for disagreeing with and standing up against. But give the nation the fullness of the facts on the project, and we can be converted. With this profound leadership wisdom, this prestigious financial expert, then we now challenge the Vice President to share the full extent of the foundations of this project, in all elements and essence, with nothing hidden. We can then each make our own opinions and agree or disagree with what the Vice President presents in a way that shows no interest in explanation or patience with the protesting.
For emphasis: it can’t be that way, just because he said it. It cannot be accepted as truth coming from God, for the Vice President has spoken from the gate that pleases him. As this offshore gas project is so financially viable and nationally feasible, anything related to it should not need to be hidden. No single document or development should be sealed; after all, it is the richness of the oil, and all its rich associated features belong to the people of Guyana. It is their property, and they have the first claim on every scrap of information about it, with nothing being withheld.
We must be clear: we are neither impressed nor intimidated by the Vice President and his representations in friendly circles and before audience approval. He, who knew so much that we did not, misled the Guyanese people on that little issue about how much gas was being flamed into the atmosphere. Billions of cubic feet of gas flame may be “small” and “small” to Vice President Jagdeo’s mind, but those billions are big for us. And while the Vice President has turned bullying into a personal standard, we are not intimidated either.
He may try to ram down Guyanese throats, and shame them into believing that their thoughts are “small” and “small” for not grasping what he is titillating with, when he reveals’ that attractive little flesh, “If you produce power. at $ 12 or $ 13 per kilowatt hour with the current price of fossil fuel… if you can supply power at $ 7 or $ 8 per kilowatt hour, a crazy man would make the decision to do so…. ”
What the Vice President did there is what those involved in a particular type of street work at night do: they show some flesh to attract him. Sooner or later, they have to do the real deal, and they do. So, in response to that derogatory question from the Pro Vice-Chancellor: “What else do you need?” We say show it all. Just keep all the secret attractions going. identified, and the hidden costs, that have come back to inspire us and hurt in project after project overseen by the Vice President when he was president.He shouldn’t need to revive that costly record , built on secrecy and which stands as its definition of financial feasibility.We name just one from yesterday: Skeldon.
We make it clear again: if the onshore gas project is as good, then ship the goods to Guyana. All the goods, not what is felt and when it pleases. If it’s so much “no brainer,” you don’t really need the dances and bizarre evasion that the VP engages in, thrills itself.