GUYANA | ‘Governance gone to the dogs’ under PPP says AFC Leader Ramjattan

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, April 3, 2024 - In a scathing critique of the current administration, Khemraj Ramjattan, leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and Member of Parliament, has accused the People's Progressive Party (PPP) Government of gross mismanagement, particularly spotlighting the ongoing crisis of frequent and prolonged blackouts plaguing the nation.

These power outages, he argues, have significantly disrupted the daily lives of Guyanese citizens and show no signs of abating.

At the heart of these blackouts, according to Ramjattan, is a glaring lack of foresight from the PPP Government regarding the country's electricity demands. Despite an anticipated increase in demand, the administration allegedly failed to augment production capacity, a move that could have forestalled the current predicament. 

This assertion was made during a live-streamed episode of “Alliance On The Move,” where Ramjattan, alongside other AFC officials,including  Vice-Chairman Ricky Ramsaroop and Regional Councillor for New Amsterdam, discussed various national concerns, emphasizing the dire situation resulting from the energy crisis.

A contributing factor to the exacerbation of the blackouts was identified as a severe fuel shortage, rooted in an incident early February when a vessel carrying 35,000 barrels of heavy fuel oil to Guyana Power and Light (GPL) encountered difficulties off the coast of Tobago. The fuel, crucial for the country's power generators, never reached its destination, leading to an acute shortfall. 

Despite denials from the Ali/Jagdeo administration concerning the intended destination of the vessel, the AFC panelists maintained that the oil was indeed destined for Guyana, implying a lack of transparency and accountability from the current government in handling this debacle.

the discussion on the live-streamed program, "Alliance On The Move," not only shed light on the reasons behind the energy crisis but also ventured into broader issues of governance and public trust under the PPP regime.

In the Eyes of the Storm: A Crisis of Fuel and Transparency

The episode, moderated by the party's General Secretary Sherrod Duncan, turned the spotlight on the suspicious circumstances surrounding the non-arrival of the fuel shipment. Documents presented on February 7, 2024, to GPL’s Supply Chain Officer-Technical, Ganesh Persaud, from Osher International Holdings, pointed to a delay in the delivery of the critical 35,000 barrels of heavy fuel oil. 

The assurance of diligent efforts to rectify the delay and the promise of real-time updates to GPL did little to quell concerns, especially as the cargo's connection to the spill near Tobago remains a topic ripe for investigation.

The incident has raised alarms over GPL's preparedness and the government's accountability, especially considering the spill's wider environmental impact on Caribbean waters.

There is an AIS gap between 2024-01-22 and 2024-02-04 north of Venezuela. That's 13 days for just 375 nautical miles. The RANGER was heading towards the port of Mustique, St Vincent Grenadines.

We believe this is Venezuelan fuel oil and that's what we're now looking into. pic.twitter.com/hwRaZchpwd

— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) February 15, 2024

Unfolding National Concerns: Governance Under Scrutiny 

Beyond the electricity fiasco, Ramjattan and his colleagues voiced several other grievances against the PPP government, accusing it of descending into chaos. 

From the inadequacies of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) management to the questioning of a senior Guyana Police Force officer by American authorities, the range of issues painted a picture of a government struggling with both internal governance and international relations. 

Particularly alarming was the confirmation by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo of Superintendent Mitchell Caesar's detention by U.S. law enforcement, a situation that the AFC leader noted was met with silence from the PPP, suggesting a lack of transparency.

The program also highlighted the severe impact of the blackouts in Berbice, suggesting a geographical inequality in the crisis's impact. 

Moreover, allegations surfaced regarding significant financial irregularities, with $50 million reported missing from the Regional Democratic Council building in New Amsterdam, Berbice, an issue that, according to the AFC, has not seen any investigative progress. 

This accusation adds to the growing list of grievances against the PPP government, underscoring a need for immediate and transparent responses to these mounting concerns.

As the situation unfolds, the demand for accountability and clear answers from the PPP government becomes ever more urgent. 

The AFC's criticisms, backed by specific incidents and allegations, call for a thorough reassessment of the current administration's policies and practices, particularly in addressing the energy crisis and ensuring the nation's governance does not, as Ramjattan puts it, "go to the dogs."

Building on the detailed examination of the multifaceted challenges facing Guyana under the PPP government, it becomes clear that the issues extend beyond the energy sector, enveloping concerns of governance, transparency, and public trust. As the narrative unfolds, the question of how the government will address these mounting criticisms remains paramount.

A Call for Transparency and Reform

The Alliance For Change's vociferous critique of the People’s Progressive Party's governance, underscored by the significant disruptions caused by power outages, lays bare a broader context of dissatisfaction and demands for governmental accountability. 

The controversy surrounding the undelivered fuel shipment, the alleged financial mismanagement in Berbice, and the opaque dealings with the Guyana Police Force serve as a testament to the growing call for transparency and systemic reform within the nation's political and administrative framework.

The current situation in Guyana, characterized by frequent blackouts and allegations of mismanagement, reflects deeper issues within the country’s governance structures. 

The AFC's revelations point to a need for a more responsive and responsible government, one that prioritizes the welfare of its citizens and the efficient management of its resources. 

As Guyana continues to navigate its path as an oil-rich nation, the effective administration of its resources and the fair distribution of its wealth become crucial benchmarks for measuring the PPP government's success or failure.

The Path Forward

In the face of these challenges, the path forward for Guyana under the PPP government appears fraught with obstacles, yet not insurmountable. 

The resolution of the current energy crisis, along with addressing the broader concerns of governance and public trust, requires a concerted effort towards transparency, accountability, and reform. 

As the Alliance For Change continues to highlight these issues, the response from the PPP government and its willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and take decisive action will ultimately shape the country's future. 

The citizens of Guyana deserve not only a stable and reliable power supply but also a governance framework that upholds the principles of fairness, transparency, and justice.

-30-