Dear Editor,
Guyanese are curious on why a company from the Dominican Republic (DR) has been given contracts of billions of American dollars in Guyana’s energy sector. Guyanese are not afforded the privileges and contracts of a DR company. Our companies can team up with Americans to build plants.
The DR is not a center of engineering marvels or technology. It is not a financial center. It does not loan money to other countries. It is a debt ridden country. It cannot fund industries in its own country much less other countries. It does not have an industrial base or any major industry. It is not a manufacturing hub. It lacks technological capacity. It dies not build factories in other countries. It does not attract new investment. It does not produce a cup of oil. It does not refine oil.
Few foreign embassies are located there. It is a tourist haven. It is also a haven for corruption. And it is known as a narco drug haven. It makes news regularly as a transit conduit to ship Colombian drugs to North America and Europe. Some drugs also come through Venezuela to DR and Guyana. Is there a Guyana-DR drug link?
A submersible packed with cocaine was intercepted by American DEA off the coast of Guyana a few days ago. What is the source of the submersible? Where was it going? Who was going to be the recipient of the drugs? Is there a DR connection? Is there a Venezuela connection?
Given that DR lacks technological capacity and finance for major industries that we seek to build, why is our government giving companies from DR billions of American dollars in contracts? It arouses curiosity! A DR company funds an overseas event of the President. Why? What is the quid pro quo?
We read that a DR company will link up with an American company to build energy industries in Guyana. Why? American companies are forbidden to offer bribes for contracts. There are heavy fines to companies and jail for personnel that are involved in underhand activities in contracts. So American companies, similar to Canadian and European, don’t offer bribes to get contracts. That is why the US EXIM Bank is very tough on approving loans to Guyana for the power generating plant.
EXIM Bank Carrie’s out detailed studies before financing a project because of its zero tolerance for corruption. The Guyana project is overpriced and Exim Bank is not approving it.
There are no restrictions on DR companies, similar to Chinese companies, in offering heavy handshakes and incentives to officials of governments in getting contracts. Isn’t it curious why a DR company is teaming up with an American company to build energy plants in Guyana and generously funding social events? Why isn’t the American company building the plants all by itself?
Is it because the hands of Americans are tied on offering incentives to Guyanese officials whereas the DR company has no such restriction? Ultimately, Guyanese are paying the price for sponsorship and bribes as the costs are included in contract costs. Guyanese companies should get the contract.
Yours truly,
Edward Burrowes