Beneficiary Benjie’s First–Oil Christmas

Okay, whether in living–room, kitchen, office, factory, crowded congested store or street, you won’t want to read anything that’s too long or prolix at this time. Hence this offering today that could be my most brief, in years.

In the lead caption above “Benjie” could also be a “Beharry”. They are both Guyanese but from two separate man-made “ethnic groups.” Both in their late forties, each voted for different political parties in May of 2015. Benjie’s Party is in government, Beharry’s choice is now the major opposition grouping. But both fellows are working-class labourers not given to too much in-depth debate and research.

But as the first barrels of Christmas oil from Guyana’s off-shore ocean-territory are about to be brought up to the (Exxon’s) Floating, Production, Storage and Off-loading (FPSO) vessel, both Benjie and Beharry as citizens and potential beneficiaries are totally confused! Both boys had left all oil-and-gas matters to those they voted for.

However, now that they hear that the First Oil from Guyana’s Ocean is to be brought up any day now, their interest is peaking. Amidst the deluge, the abundance of debate, warnings, disappointments over management so far, and advice via all the media.

And when Benjie and Beharry do try to read, listen and understand issues regarding their country’s oil producing sector, they are easily turned off by either the lofty language being used, or just the myriad of “technicalities.” But they need to comprehend. Because their national representatives say that they are to benefit from the production. Sometime. Soon? When?

The two working-class fellows need some very simple explanations, guidance. Please assist them with the following. Just as a start: Liza One, Liza 2, FPSO, Stabroek Block, Sovereign Wealth Natural Resources Fund, “Clarifying mathematical anomalies between Liza Phase one and two,” Gross capital cost per barrel, the imminent Payara project- (any benefits for

Benjie and Beharry?) Depositing Guyana’s eventual revenues in the natural resource (saving) fund via the Bank of Guyana but into an American Bank/Federal Reserve Fund. In-person bidding for oil shipments.

Please, please wiser ones: Help out Beharry and Benjie. And Me!

Repeating for emphasis. Briefly. Who am I, a maturing cynic, suspicious of fake sincerity, to attempt to spread negativity about a Jolly Season of Peace and Goodwill generated by some need to celebrate the Divine Birth?

Well I’m a citizen who has transitioned from a Christmas celebrant to mere observer, still appreciating what “the season” might promote in terms of genuine, sincere caring, cohesive goodwill and a stimulus for sustained hope through faith. Beyond Decembers.

Alas however, it is painfully easy, it is obvious the commercialized fake love, the sham concern for the needy. Manifested for a few ready, rollicking days of fun and entertainment bacchanal. Man, is it not simple to decipher the sincerity by those who had planned and long budgeted to be truly charitable at Christmas time? And to identify the majority seeming only to exploit a noble birth anniversary for far, far less than holy intentions? The profit margins and seasonal projections trump the observance of the celebration of the fruit of the womb.

So you all enjoy. Even as you separate Christmas time sincerity from the sham, the fake, the deceptions.