Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 01, 2021 Letters
Dear Editor,
Hands down, the indomitable Mr. Glenn Lall would be my pick for Guyana’s “Man of the Year for 2020.”
Mr. Lall and his Kaieteur News (KN) paper has single-handedly stood in the gap and swam against the tide of silence and apparent corruption that has enveloped the country with respect to oil. As a national, “people’s” paper, KN’s investigative journalism has steadfastly exposed any corruption regardless of which party is in power. A party’s fortune might rise or fall because of the trusted reporting and exposes of KN, against whom several libel suits have been filed largely as a deliberate strategy to silence the paper from unearthing fraud and corruption in Government.
The KN as Guyana’s largest newspaper has dedicated enormous resources to cover Guyana’s fledgling Oil and Gas (O&G) industry that has completed one year of operation. KN has staff dedicated specially to covering the O&G industry. Under Lall’s leadership, KN Radio has weekly programmes with two of Guyana’s leading journalists – “Guyana’s Oil and You” with Senior Journalist Kiana Wilburg and “Petroleum 101” with Senior Journalist Kemol King – two of Guyana’s brightest journalists who have become experts in O&G reporting. As if that was not enough, Mr. Lall himself is appearing on the “Glenn Lall show.” Additionally, every day KN carries a link to an Oil Petition by the Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN- https://www.oggn.website) calling on the Government of Guyana to follow Guyana’s laws concerning Oil and Gas and to renegotiate the oil contracts (Petition at https://www.change.org/urgent-enforce-guyana-laws-oil-contracts).
KN’s coverage has recruited oil experts and commentators locally and from all over the world as featured guests on his various radio programmes and newspaper columns. Daily, he holds our Government and Opposition accountable for our oil destiny and reprimands them for failure to renegotiate the oil contracts. His mantra is that both the Government and Opposition have sold out Guyana’s oil and oil blocks for mere pittances, and that there needs to be a united front to secure a renegotiation of our oil deals. KN’s and Mr. Lall’s stance is that we should not have to “scratch” for a living, when Guyana is the most endowed in CARICOM with an abundance of natural resources.
KN’s coverage has been Guyana’s main daily source of information on Guyana’s Oil and Gas. They have also featured oil stories from other oil nations to warn Guyana to avoid the pitfalls of others including issues of oil policies and practices, oil corruption and the oil curse.
KN’s dedication of an entire “Blunt” page daily to chide our leaders to take proper action for accountability and proper management of oil shows Mr. Lall’s impatience at our leaders in taking urgent action to correct our current course in oil.
Mr. Lall’s laser-like focus on O&G is because of his deep conviction that O&G properly managed and devoid of corruption, offers Guyana’s best hope for a better life for all Guyanese.
But the renegotiation of current contracts largely favouring the oil companies and robbing Guyana of its oil wealth is absolutely essential, according to Lall.
While his frustration is rife, our political leaders on both sides can be assured that Mr. Lall is not a quitter, he is not going anywhere soon, and will continue to be Guyana’s conscience and a “thorn in the flesh” to politicians concerning O&G. While the Opposition has gone silent, while the “Guardians of Democracy” have gone silent, while church leaders including those who assign themselves lofty titles such as apostles, prophets, and bishops have lost their voice and their conscience, while academics are cowering in fear and are saying nothing, while NGOs are silent, while the business community do not want to rock the boat because of their cozy relationship with the Government, Mr. Glenn Lall is waiving the red flag valiantly.
At great personal cost, Mr. Lall speaks up for the working poor catching hell to make ends meet. He speaks for the ordinary Guyanese who dreamt that when we find oil, all Guyanese would be rich. Our current trajectory on oil and gas is on the wrong track, and Mr. Lall is the most powerful voice to bring Guyana back on track.
Without a doubt, Mr. Glenn Lall is Guyana’s “Man of the Year/Person of the Year” for 2020. Mr. Lall, we salute your moral courage, your bravery, your integrity in this matter of oil and gas. Mr. Lall, you are a Guyana Hero! Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jerry Jailall
Publisher’s Note: I am indeed appreciative of your sentiments. However, the greatest reward, in my view, would be a Guyana where the people can truly benefit from our vast wealth. In the quest to achieve such a reality, my staff and I will remain unrelenting. For this reason, I believe my entire staff, especially those who went above and beyond the call of duty, should also be duly recognized.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
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