Jagdeo dismisses opposition’s 20-point plan for oil sector as ‘totally useless document’

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the main opposition coalition, recently released a 20-point plan for the management of the oil sector should it assume office.

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also the General Secretary of the governing People’s Progress Party Civic (PPP/C), on Thursday, dismissed the plan, noting that it focused more on studies as opposed to real policies and plans for the nascent sector.

“Of the 20 points, I’ll give them credit for the way it looks. Nothing, nothing here… (there is) zero originality, as we predicted,” Jagdeo said.

He added, “This is a useless, totally useless document that they launched as their 20-point for oil and gas.”

So what really does the 20-point include?

APNU, in their plan, aims to constitute a “distinguished advisory team of professionals” within 90 days of assuming office to advise the government on the sector.

It aims to examine and review existing laws and policies, and promises to institute an independent Inspector General’s office to “eradicate corruption and unethical conduct by government and contractor officials.”

APNU also said it will conduct a national skills audit, develop a directory of registered and gas professionals and businesses, and institute a publication of information protocol.

The party also said it will institute a local content policy that “ensures the equitable participation of local businesses by requiring the Contractor to maximise expenditures on local goods and services.”

The Vice President contrasted APNU’s plans with what was detailed in the PPP’s 2020 manifesto, and what has been implemented thus far.

He pointed out that several specific measures were promised and delivered already.

Those measures include the creation and enactment of a Local Content law, a review of the NRF, strengthening environmental permits, publishing all of the permits, and spending oil money in key sectors like healthcare and education.

“I can go down a long list. We had a list of specific things to do,” Jagdeo emphasised