Good news for Guyana and its people PDF Print E-mail
Written by
Friday, 06 January 2012 01:01
IT would be quite in order to say that the Guyanese people are enthused with the news that a CGX drilling rig is coming to Guyana by the end of this month to begin off-shore drilling for oil. I do not think there could have been a better way to start the new year, after coming out of an election season which produced a minority government that is being headed by President Donald Ramotar.
It is rather unfortunate that we did not pursue this bold initiative before, knowing for a fact that we are sandwiched between two oil bearing countries, Suriname, our neighbour on the East and Venezuela, our neighbour on the West. Over several decades, Guyanese have been hearing time and again about the oil potential the country possesses, but no serious attempt was made to exploit the oil rich resources of this country.
It could be recalled that some time during the 1970s when Forbes Burnham was President of Guyana, a group of experts from Canadian Home Oil was contracted to explore for oil in the Takutu basin. However, after some preliminary works, it was found that 40 barrels per day were not economical, and like ‘El ‘Dorado’, oil remained an illusion until the turn of the century.
As the century turned, so were Guyana’s fortunes. Guyana’s former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo spared no effort in his government’s endeavour to uncap the country’s rich oil deposits.
Mechanisms were put in place, the necessary funding was made available, foreign companies were solicited for their interest in exploratory works, and for the first time in this country’s history, the hunt for the “black gold” began in earnest.
After years of exploration, the country has now moved to the new dimension of drilling for oil, and it is hoped in many quarters that what had been a perception for decades would soon become a reality. If we strike the commodity in commercial quantities, then it will be a new beginning for all Guyanese as this will serve in a big way to enhance the living standards of the entire population. The Guyanese people are waiting with great expectations, the arrival of the CGX rig from the Gulf of Mexico, which is slated to begin operations soon, after its arrival, before the end of this month.
The power of oil, coupled with gold, sugar, rice, timber, bauxite and magnesium would certainly find Guyana climbing a few rungs on the world economic ladder. However, while it would be good to strike oil, people’s involvement at all levels of development of society would be important.
It therefore means that our leaders, regardless of political persuasion would be obliged to cast away differences and put country first. They would also be required to enter into meaningful dialogue rather than creating the condition for confusion and confrontation.
President Donald Ramotar has left his doors open for this approach. The people would love to believe that any leader who is worth his salt would take advantage of this opportunity so they could truly do something for the people of this country. There are times when we as a nation would have to learn to work, respect, trust and love each other as we move collectively towards improving our own lot.
There could be no better time to do this than now, when for the first time in the history of this country, oil is likely to flow in commercial quantities. The time has come more than ever for us to band ourselves together and work assiduously to make this country the epitome of development in the entire Caribbean region.
Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle
Written by
Friday, 06 January 2012 01:01
IT would be quite in order to say that the Guyanese people are enthused with the news that a CGX drilling rig is coming to Guyana by the end of this month to begin off-shore drilling for oil. I do not think there could have been a better way to start the new year, after coming out of an election season which produced a minority government that is being headed by President Donald Ramotar.
It is rather unfortunate that we did not pursue this bold initiative before, knowing for a fact that we are sandwiched between two oil bearing countries, Suriname, our neighbour on the East and Venezuela, our neighbour on the West. Over several decades, Guyanese have been hearing time and again about the oil potential the country possesses, but no serious attempt was made to exploit the oil rich resources of this country.
It could be recalled that some time during the 1970s when Forbes Burnham was President of Guyana, a group of experts from Canadian Home Oil was contracted to explore for oil in the Takutu basin. However, after some preliminary works, it was found that 40 barrels per day were not economical, and like ‘El ‘Dorado’, oil remained an illusion until the turn of the century.
As the century turned, so were Guyana’s fortunes. Guyana’s former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo spared no effort in his government’s endeavour to uncap the country’s rich oil deposits.
Mechanisms were put in place, the necessary funding was made available, foreign companies were solicited for their interest in exploratory works, and for the first time in this country’s history, the hunt for the “black gold” began in earnest.
After years of exploration, the country has now moved to the new dimension of drilling for oil, and it is hoped in many quarters that what had been a perception for decades would soon become a reality. If we strike the commodity in commercial quantities, then it will be a new beginning for all Guyanese as this will serve in a big way to enhance the living standards of the entire population. The Guyanese people are waiting with great expectations, the arrival of the CGX rig from the Gulf of Mexico, which is slated to begin operations soon, after its arrival, before the end of this month.
The power of oil, coupled with gold, sugar, rice, timber, bauxite and magnesium would certainly find Guyana climbing a few rungs on the world economic ladder. However, while it would be good to strike oil, people’s involvement at all levels of development of society would be important.
It therefore means that our leaders, regardless of political persuasion would be obliged to cast away differences and put country first. They would also be required to enter into meaningful dialogue rather than creating the condition for confusion and confrontation.
President Donald Ramotar has left his doors open for this approach. The people would love to believe that any leader who is worth his salt would take advantage of this opportunity so they could truly do something for the people of this country. There are times when we as a nation would have to learn to work, respect, trust and love each other as we move collectively towards improving our own lot.
There could be no better time to do this than now, when for the first time in the history of this country, oil is likely to flow in commercial quantities. The time has come more than ever for us to band ourselves together and work assiduously to make this country the epitome of development in the entire Caribbean region.
Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle
