Latest update March 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 19, 2014 Editorial
The media statement by Troy Resources Guyana (TRG) reveals an interesting feature that is not evident in the intent and operations of a few major foreign investors in this country. The TRG Chief Executive Officer’s public position is a welcome departure from the seemingly entrenched practices that have become a norm in the relations between foreign conglomerates and the local polity.
The forthright approach which addresses actual and potential concerns among the various local stakeholders is certainly appreciated at this juncture, and one which should be emulated across the foreign investment spectrum. It would have been of great value on the industrial relations front if entities of recent advent such as Bai Shan Lin and Vaitarna, had taken into consideration the importance of respecting universally accepted norms in that regard.
No amount of sand dancing by the Guyana Forestry Commission can erase native suspicion that all is not aboveboard after the series of evasions and ad hominem attacks that characterised the official response to the exposé on the conduct of the corporations engaged in human and material resource exploitation in the extractive sectors.
The forlorn attempts at catch up and damage control by the two conglomerates have not gained the type of positive impression that is intended, since there are more gaps and loopholes which cannot be explained away. The behaviour by the Guyana Revenue Authority only adds to the belief that only the rich and powerful are accorded the right to protection by the state apparatus to an obscene degree.
The question of tax exemption and remittances to the home country of foreign investors is one in which no effort should be spared in providing Guyanese with all the details, especially with all the concessions granted to these companies. The sight of hundreds of felled trees – which formerly made up Guyana’s contribution as the lungs of the world – being placed in containers for export, is one which does not inspire confidence that this country’s affairs are being conducted with citizens’ interest as paramount. It is no secret that Asian business practices embrace a concept of hand wash hand, but that is no reason that for a few dollars the ruling elite should be prepared to willingly sell the national patrimony for a song.
Indeed these developments speak to a lack of informed citizen participation and consensus that has consistently been taken advantage of by glib snake oil salesmen. What else could be the apparent abandonment of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) with the once bright-eyed prospects of millions of Norwegian dollars?
Nowadays climate change and its harmful effects have been taken off the stove and replaced by tales of the benefits of allowing the country’s forest resources to be shipped out without a murmur of protest. If that is not insulting enough, those who have dared to raise their voices on these issues have their nationalism and loyalty challenged by charlatans who embody Samuel Johnson’s coined adage about (false) patriotism being the last refuge of scoundrels.
Guyanese need to be assured that their foreign investor employer will respect them as worthwhile employees. But it must be remarked that the local labour force must provide reciprocal assurance that they are worthy of their hire. In the midst of all those assurances must be the wider knowledge that the government, through its respective agencies, stands prepared and willing to intercede on behalf of its people, regardless of race and political affiliation. No more should the infrastructure and natural environment of targeted communities be degraded on the altar of profit for a few.
The rights and livelihood of the indigenous people are under serious threat and all they are hearing is how good the raping of their environment is for their development. The colonial practice of offering baubles continues under homegrown neocolonialists. These days the indigenous communities are assailed with a tractor here, a boat engine there, all in the sustained attempt to promote the continued exploitation of their ancestral lands by any with deep enough pockets.
Foreign investors must step up and disclaim any involvement in dishonourable and parasitic practices which are supported at the highest levels of state agencies. Citizens must unhesitatingly approach the courts and the Office of the Ombudsman, if needs be, for remedies.
Listen to the man that is throwing Guyanese bright future away
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