Smart move by AFC on Amaila

Dear Editor,
The Alliance For Change (AFC) made a smart move to reverse course and support the Amaila Falls Hydropower project. When I was in Guyana, I told friends the AFC would change course. I had expected A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to do the same, as popular opinion is in favour of the project, but the party coalition is stubbornly holding on to its anti-Amaila position.
I have been conducting an opinion survey for the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) on the initial rejection of the hydro project, among other issues, to find out whether or not public opinion supports the initial vote of the opposition to oppose Amaila.
People are not looking at cost benefit on Amaila. They simply want cheap hydro power and are sold on the government’s position that Amaila would provide cheaper energy.
The NACTA poll found overwhelming support for the project throughout the country, although people had concerns about the cost. And even with the cost, a majority of the supporters of the APNU back the project as do almost all the supporters of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) and AFC.
People want cheap electricity although questions were raised on whether energy would be cheaper under Amaila. The majority of them seem to have faith in Amaila, believing it will fast forward the development of the country.
The AFC must have tested the opinion of its supporters and found that they were angry with the party, thereby forcing it to reverse course and back the project. The AFC would have lost a lot of support had it not change course and endorse the Amaila project.
A significant number of APNU supporters also approve of the Amaila project and it is not clear whether they will vote against their party for opposing the project. APNU should survey the views of its supporters and the party would be surprised to find how many back Amaila.
APNU is not listening to its supporters or considering their views and the party could lose support, although the poll has not made that determination.
The coalition should follow the move of the AFC. It should sit with representatives of both the PPP/ C and AFC. The three should find a common solution that addresses APNU’s concerns so as to rescue Amaila, that is, compromise and give-and-take on what is needed to preserve the project if it makes financial sense.
Opposing just for opposing sake is not a solution and will only serve to stymie development.
APNU should propose alternatives to Amaila and explain to the population why its alternative is a better option. Guyana needs cheap non-fossil energy, since we have not had much success at finding gas or oil.
And solar and wind are not being considered by mass numbers of people or encouraged. That leaves hydro as the only option. If not Amaila, then what – APNU should tell the nation. It should tell the nation of some cheaper or better alternatives for hydro power development, so that the nation can become self sufficient in energy.
Yours faithfuly,
Vishnu Bisram
Queens, New York