“No sell-out” of natural resources to Trinidad – President Granger

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DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, September 19, 2018

President David Granger today made it clear that there will be “no sell-out” of the country’s natural resources to Trinidad and Tobago, deeming the suggestions as rumour and fear mongering.

The president was responding to speculations surrounding the State Visit by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Keith Rowley and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on energy cooperation. He said there is nothing in the agreement that seeks to harm any of the two states.

President Granger clarified that “it is no sell-out, there were some unjustified fears that Guyana is giving away the family jewels, that can’t be true. It is simply a means of collaborating. Trinidad is bringing years of experience not only in production but also in marketing, gas, oil spills, in dealing with multinational corporations.”

While echoing similar sentiments, Prime Minister Rowley said the MOU is simply a document to motivate the two sides to collaborate in areas of mutual benefit.

Prime Minister Rowley expressed disappointment at the suggestion of a “take-over” of Guyana’s fortunes by his country. “We are working towards ensuring that we as a people, not just as a people of Trinidad and Tobago, but as a people of CARICOM… Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, do better for all ourselves and to come up against that is disappointing,” he said.

As long as the two countries enjoy friendly relations, PM Rowley said, investments from Guyana would be welcomed, likewise, his country remains open to investing in Guyana.

He added that “my disappointment is not driven by any intention to school anybody or to reproach anybody.”

President Granger reminded that the two countries shared relations, spanning decades in both strategic and economic terms.

By: Stacy Carmichael.

Image: Keno George.