Now that the Global Witness-Mercury-PPP elections PR gimmick has been exposed, it is time for the PPP to answer some lingering questions. The question is not about why what Global Witness did was wrong. It surely is not about the timing of their venomous disinformation effort. We know the answers to those.
It is known that Global Witness was founded in countries where supposed impartial actors place moratorium on themselves within a certain proximity of an election date. We have noted Global Witness Facebook ad targeting the Guyana market with misinformation just 29 days before the elections. We are convinced that Global Witness agenda is to deliberately influence the outcome of the elections in Guyana. We are so convinced because Global Witness did an egregious wrong when they know better. So these are not the question the PPP must answer.
Shortly after the APNU-AFC government took office, there were whispers of the PPP deliberately attempting to undermine the negotiations with ExxonMobil. It was whispered that the PPP was telling ExxonMobil officials that a PPP Government would accept 1% royalty. It was alleged that the PPP was suggesting that ExxonMobil delay finalizing the PSA until elections, which they promised would come much sooner than 5 years.
If these whispers are true, the PPP is wicked beyond belief. They are wicked because their efforts to delay the PSA threatened our national security interest. Their desire for power could have jeopardize the era of prosperity that is about to unfold for all Guyanese.
The PPP is aware there was talk in some international quarters that Guyana’s resources should be developed for both Guyana and Venezuela. The PPP knows that delaying the PSA could have deprived Guyanese of at least half of the wealth we are about to enjoy. Knowing this and yet scheming to postpone the signing of the PSA, is not only reckless, it is unpatriotic.
It was also whispered that the PPP continued to talk to the Venezuelans, even after they demitted office. It is true that Bharrat Jagdeo proposed that we give up some of our territory to Venezuela. Any talks between the PPP and Venezuela could not have been in the national interest.
These whispers were dismissed by many, including me, as outlandish. The PPP would not go so far. However, the latest vulgar Global Witness-Mercury-PPP conspiracy leaves one to wonder. The PPP must now answer the questions. Is it true that you tried to undermine the government’s negotiation with ExxonMobil by offering 1% royalty? Is it true that you were in discussions with Venezuela after demitting office? If it is true you were in discussions with Venezuela, what exactly were you promising Venezuela? The Guyanese people have a right to know. Is the PPP so determined that Guyanese must not enjoy the “Good Life” under the APNU-AFC government that they would sabotage the economic prosperity of the country?