Guyana’s Head of State, Donald Ramotar says that the behavior of the opposition in voting down two critical pieces of legislation is an act of terrorism against the development of Guyana.
The President addressed the nation just minutes ago on national television and in his address he noted that he was hopeful that the unprecedented configuration of the Parliament would have allowed them the opportunity to move forward.
“I had hoped that all the political parties in Parliament would have worked together in the interest of the Guyanese people. Last evening those hopes were dashed,” the President said.
Yesterday,the Opposition in Parliament voted against a bill to amend the Hydro Electric Act and a motion to raise the debt ceiling that would create the financial architecture to implement the Amaila Falls Hydro Project.
As a result, the project is now in jeopardy.
According to President Ramotar, Government made it clear that support of the Bill was a pre-condition to complete due diligence by the IDB. The legislative amendment was expected to be completed by the end of July.
He noted that Government has met with the joint opposition on numerous occasions to brief them, supplying them with all information requested and answering all questions asked.
“There is no question that they asked which was not answered. At least 3 technical presentations were made (March 2012, March 2013, June 2013). We’ve held several political meetings also. We invited them to tour the access road that leads to the proposed site.
The opposition had various meetings with other stakeholders. These included meetings with the IDB including one just this Wednesday (July 17). Sithe Global, the private Sponsor, has also met with key stakeholders including the opposition parties.”
According to the Head of State, Hydro-power in Guyana is overdue by a generation and yesterday, the opposition in spite of all of the explanations and reasons on the necessity of completing the various activities in Parliament, took action to further delay it.
“More troubling is that they fully understand the negative ramifications for Guyana’s development. Yesterday, the opposition continued to hold the project hostage to other demands by voting down Amaila. This politics of blackmail will not get us anywhere.”
President Ramotar said it is difficult to predict what will happen next, but what is clear is that the Amaila project in its current configuration may well be in jeopardy.
He assured the Guyanese people that government will continue to pursue options to bring cheap and reliable electricity to the country.
“We will not be swayed by narrow-minded political agendas looking to stymie our development thrust. We will persevere. We will continue to act in the best interest of our Guyanese people. I ask you to support your Government in this pursuit. As your President, my action will only be in your best interest and the progress of this nation.”
