Routledge - differing from Adams, Ram, others

Oct 10, 2026 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

(Kaieteur News) – I regret differing from respected brothers, Dr. Vincent Adams and Chris Ram, two peerless Guyanese. The source of the difference is Exxon Guyana President, Mr. Alistair Routledge’s statement that “it’s not our job to build the nation…they didn’t vote for us…we are not representatives of the people.” Though I recoil from what Mr. Routledge said, he is right, except for one point, and on a limited basis only. I dissect his statement, the main points of which are quoted in the preceding sentence.

“It’s not our job to build the nation...” The Exxon Country Head has been terribly wrong in many areas, many matters, many representations (billboards, reserves, revenue flows, and more). He, however, is right that Guyanese should NOT look to Exxon to build Guyana. Building Guyana is the job of the Guyana Government, Guyana’s political groupings, and the Guyanese people. They must work at it with a passion, will it to rise from the derelict state (mentally, politically, governmentally) that it is today. It is Pres Ali’s role to lead in building of Guyana, not Exxon’s board of directors, not Darren Woods, not Alistair Routledge. When the president puts aside divisive, destructive, politics, and engages political and civil society constituencies, then that’s from where the duty to build the nation starts and soars. Hopefully succeeds. At least, it increases the probability of progress.