Has preoccupation with Exxon oil contract unwittingly squeezed out constitutional reform from centrestage?

Dear Editor,

The innumerable letters and commentaries on the Exxon & Partners’ oil contract have unwittingly thrown constitutional reform (CORE) to the periphery of the political landscape, despite Guyanese becoming amenable to reform since 2001. Prior to this, Guyana’s experience with constitutional reform has been one of distrust, as it was manipulated to (i) remove a political party (PPPC) from the Government (in 1953 and 1964); (ii) catapult another political party (PNC) into Government (in 1964), and allow it (PNC) to consolidate state power (1980); and abolish all referenda (1978).

The constitutional reform process resulted in the enactment of 200+ amendments in 2001, in accordance with the Caricom-brokered Herdmanston Accord, and has neutralised distrust for CORE. However, this change in attitude has not given rise to any significant momentum for constitutional reform within the last 8 years; rather, the position of CORE on the political radar has been overtaken by the relentless pounding of the Exxon Oil Contract by analysts, writers, and commentators.

Notwithstanding, this departure does not necessarily signal a lack of interest in constitutional change; rather, it forces a reordering of priorities, and shows how the public’s perception could shift, depending on their interpretation of social reality.

Civil society groups, politicians and individuals believe that constitutional reform in certain areas could lead to good governance, improved national development, less societal tension, and fair distribution of national resources. This is how one non-partisan group, RISE, describes the need for constitutional reform: “If implemented, it would lead to executive accountability, racial harmony, and political, economic and social inclusivity.”

Here are multiple and diverse views on constitutional reform that have been generated from focused interviews with a sample of Guyanese. These views do not necessarily reflect those of the wider Guyanese population. It is expected that intensive community engagements would determine which, or any of these would subsequently translate into constitutional amendments.

(1) How would constitutional reform improve the