President Donald Ramotar last night said that “within months” the government expected to achieve financial closure and the start of construction of the Amaila Hydropower Project (AFHP) for which he announced Norway has transferred US$80M to the IDB.
In his New Year’s address to the nation, the President avoided any disclosure on when general elections would be held even though he had said last year that early in 2015 he would make an announcement. Instead his address signalled the intent to pursue a series of projects, prime among which is the ambitious hydropower project which stalled last year after the intended investor pulled out because of the political instability here.
With Parliament having been suspended by Ramotar since November 10, it is unclear how any new deal could be pushed through.
The last Sunday Stabroek reported that Guyana and Norway were continuing discussions on the AFHP and that Norway recently asked the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to receive US$80 million as Guyana’s equity in the project.
The transfer of the funds outside of the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) as well as the fact that the project is moving ahead in the absence of the National Assembly has raised a number of questions among observers. Among others, questions have been raised about the transparency as well as the secrecy surrounding the project.
Speaking about his priorities for the New Year, Ramotar said “For too long, Guyanese have looked forward to harnessing our country’s vast hydropower potential. The time for realizing this dream is long overdue. Unreliable and unaffordable electricity continues to be the biggest impediment to investment and job creation in Guyana. My Government will deliver the Amaila Falls Hydro-power Project to the Guyanese people, along with all its attendant benefits. Within months, we expect to achieve financial close and commence construction, and this project will come into operation during our new term in office.”
Speaking earlier in his speech about the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), Ramotar said “The flagship of the LCDS is the Amaila Falls Hydro power Project. I am pleased to announce that Norway has transferred earnings from our partnership of approximately US$80 million to the Inter-American Development Bank to fund part of Guyana’s equity share in the project. This is a significant accomplishment. It demonstrates that all partners have strong confidence in Amaila. The project is once again moving forward.”
Ramotar boasted of his government’s success in several areas including housing. He said in 2009, the ministry managed 51 housing projects while in 2014 this figure is now 170. He said that the sector has created 3,500 jobs in 2014 and that the figure was projected to grow to 4,250 this year.
He said that the feasibility study for the East Coast-East Bank bypass road had been completed and the next steps were being discussed. This, he said, will catalyse US$65M in investment. Further, he said that in the first half of this year, an alternative link will be constructed between Diamond and Eccles on the East Bank.
The President also outlined a programme should he be returned to office.
“During the next term of office, my Government will work with our partners to bridge the Corentyne River and to complete the road from Brazil along with the accompanying deep water harbour. We will also improve ease of movement within our borders by upgrading the major hinterland arteries and widening our major coastal highways. Within our towns and villages, rehabilitation and upgrading our urban and community roads will continue apace, all with the aim of improving access”, he said.
With crime a major concern of the country, Ramotar said that the root causes of crime would be addressed. He did not elaborate on what this meant.
“We will work hard and invest heavily to ensure that our communities are safer and that our crime fighting and prevention capabilities are strengthened.
Relevant initiatives will include legislative reform in support of crime fighting, upgrading of capacity in the Police Force, stronger use of technology and forensic science, and tackling the root causes of crime”, he said.
In acknowledging his government’s current minority status in Parliament and the problem that that has posed for the passage of the PPP/C government’s legislative agenda, Ramotar said that for these programmes to be put in place a clear mandate would be required.
“I anticipate that my Guyanese brothers and sisters will be called upon in the near future to exercise the choice that will be so critical to determining the path our country will follow in the years to come. The future of our country will be decided by the manner in which that choice is made, whether our country is to continue to progress in the way it has in recent years or whether it is to regress to the dark days of the past. I have every confidence that the Guyanese people will choose the path of progress”, he stated.
The rest of his address was studded with criticisms of the opposition for opposing a series of ventures including the Amaila project, the Specialty Hospital, for its cuts to the budget and stalling of legislation like the anti-money laundering bill.
The opposition has opposed many of the government’s big-ticket projects on the grounds of the lack of transparency.
