President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s recent statements regarding the performance of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) ring hollow and deceptive. His attempt to shift blame solely onto the previous administration while ignoring the current government’s own mismanagement is disingenuous at best. “The people are suffering Mr President, stop the lies”
Former Minister David Patterson’s comments in a recent letter to the editor provide a stark contrast to President Ali’s lies, revealing the depth of incompetence and negligence under the current administration’s watch. From the dismissal of competent leadership to the reckless procurement of substandard equipment, it is evident that GPL’s problems stem from the government’s failure to prioritize the people’s needs over political expediency.
President Ali’s claim of actively engaging with UK Export Finance (UKEF) to explore financing options for transmission projects lacks substance. Without tangible actions to improve GPL’s infrastructure and reliability, such promises remain empty and meaningless.
Similarly, President Ali’s reliance on the gas-to-energy project as a solution to Guyana’s energy woes is misleading. While the project may have potential, it does little to address GPL’s immediate challenges, exposing the administration’s lack of foresight and effective governance.
Moreover, the government’s cancellation of crucial funding opportunities, such as the US$900M line of credit from the Islamic Development Bank, underscores its short-sightedness, stupidity and blatant disregard for the country’s long-term development.
President Ali’s attempts to deflect blame for GPL’s failures are nothing but outright lies and a desperate attempt to conceal the government’s incompetence. It is time for the administration to stop making excuses and start taking concrete action to address Guyana’s power sector challenges. As I pen this missive, we just experienced another blackout. What a mess! The people of Guyana deserve better than empty promises and political gamesmanship.