CHAIRMAN of the Private Sector Commission, Ron Webster, has expressed disappointment at the lack of support by the parliamentary Opposition parties (APNU and AFC) for the crucial Hydro-Electric Power Bill.

Webster said that while the Commission wishes not to get into the blame game and politics, it is “very sad” that something of the magnitude of the Hydro Power  Bill did not receive the full support by parliamentarians in the National Assembly. Further, Webster said the Commission considers the Amaila Hydro Power  project as one that represents a national issue with regard  to the present electricity situation in the country and the fact that it provides an avenue for competiveness among businesses. The PSC chairman  was speaking at a sc-disappointed-at-oppositions-non-support-for-hydro-power-bill-chides-it-for-the-give-us-this-and-we-will-give-you-that-tactics-it-uses-to-bargain-on-major-national-developmental-projects&catid=4:top-story&Itemid=8#" id="FALINK_2_0_1">press conference held at  PSC headquarters, Waterloo Street, Georgetown, yesterday afternoon,  during which he reiterated that the Commission is willing to work with the government and the parliamentary Opposition, especially on this issue, as it considers it very critical.

MEDIATOR He said that there should be no politicking in relation to this particular project, since it has very dire consequences for the future of the country and  generations  to come. Webster said the PSC, the umbrella organisation for  Guyana’s private sector businesses,  has repeatedly made known its interest in being the mediator between the government and the Opposition parties (APNU and AFC). However, he said no side has  taken up the offer to invite the PSC to mediate in meetings in relation to the hydro power project. Asked if the PSC cannot be invited with  the agreement of just two sides,  Webster explained that it might not be in the best interest of discussions among the parties since the two sides may find it ok with them, but if the third party refuses to accommodate the PSC, the purpose will be defeated. He stressed that all three sides have to agree for the sitting-in of the PSC representatives. The Commission, however, has been meeting with all three parties in parliament on different issues. Asked if the Commission ever made the issue of mediating the subject of any letter,  PSC member Kit Nascimento responded in the negative, but stated that the interest has been communicated via footnotes on  other subject letters. The Commission  indicated that it does not intent to write formally expressing their  interest in  mediation since it believes that the footnotes have been seen and all parties are well aware of the interest of the PSC to assist the process. “We are not going to be running around the place saying here we are, because we are not a political party,” Webster declared.

HORRIFIC SITUATION Nascimento told reporters it has become increasingly evident that the parties are unable to find common ground on almost anything,  the end result  being that Guyanese are faced with  a horrific situation and consequential burden. The PSC said it is not just concerned about losing the hydro project but many other projects which Guyana may be unable to secure in the future.  However, despite the odds, the PSC has decided to sc-disappointed-at-oppositions-non-support-for-hydro-power-bill-chides-it-for-the-give-us-this-and-we-will-give-you-that-tactics-it-uses-to-bargain-on-major-national-developmental-projects&catid=4:top-story&Itemid=8#" id="FALINK_1_0_0">continue engaging the parties. Meanwhile, what is bothering the PSC, according to its chairman,  is that while not forthcoming in the first stages, the Government has given the Opposition parties the information and documentation it needed  in relation to the now stalled project. This includes information which is  also classified in keeping with the contract, but while the PSC was not privy to some of the documents, the Opposition has been handed those by the government.

UNDISCLOSED CONCERNS What the PSC is  not sure of,  however, is what aspects of the documents  the Opposition is unhappy about,  since  those concerns are the best kept secret of the Opposition as  they have not made those known to the government. The PSC is calling on the Opposition parties to say what are  their concerns so that those can be addressed and, where necessary, clarified (again) by the government so that there can be some movement forward. It added that, “should the Opposition continue with its ‘give us this and we will give you that’ tactics, we will get what we got…a non-functioning nation.”