Hatian Petrol

Dr. Mathurin and his wife have become very passionate about the prospects of some very significant well of petroleum and other precious metals in the sous-sol of Haiti. Haiti is known as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere due to its lack of production almost at every level. Most researchers know that Haiti is not poor because of a lack of resource but more so due to a lack of appropriation of resources. From human resource to natural raw material resource, we have failed to generate proper strategies to maximise them.It is unacceptable that such a discussion should still be dormant in the Haitian media. They should be calling government officials one by one to tell the people of Haiti what they intend to do with the eventual wells of Haiti. We need to know their perception now and their plan for the future. Petroleum in Haiti would mean deliverance for the Haitian people provided that our leaders do not allow themselves into the corrupted trap in which the wealth of the nations serve for the welfare of big corporations while the nation suffer. If we consider what oil represents in Nigeria: war, tribal tensions, extreme institutionalised corruption, slavery and poverty, then we will need to consider our politics and economic strategy carefully, negotiate wisely and exploite cautiously.
A Haiti with oil should be considered a prosperous Haiti. Not a divided society where the nation continues to sink deeper and deeper in despair,where a small group of privileged people lay hold on all possible chances for Haiti’s development as was the case in the past or even now. We need to engage the the discussion with the government, let them speak to the people ,tell us what they intend to do with the prospects of petrol in the sous-sol of Haiti. We do not accept that they remain silent on a matter of such great importance.
They need to bring more experts on site to give clear indication on whether or not we can count on the future that oil can help us build. This is absolutely not the time for quiet government. They need to talk to the people even with daily briefing on how are they progressing with issues that matter to the people. We are talking here about a nation that has gone through some real deplorable situations ,shame, humiliation, even slavery in modern time. Personally, I can’t wait for the day when I can start to bring back every single Haitian from the bracero of the Dominican Republic. Let the Dominican people taste the flavor of what it means to be a nation of hard workers like Haiti. Let them see their real economy without Haitian slaves.
Oil in Haiti would mean freedom from Dominican slavery and boat-people status. It would mean a Haiti with voice in the OPEC and with a formal space in global economic decision. It would no longer an under nourished dog waiting outdoor for crumbs from the table of the economic giants of our day. I guaranty you even the Caribbean nations who pretend to integrate Haiti in CARICOM will change their attitude towards us. I am not sure that CARICOM is genuine as far as Haiti is concerned. The last time I saw Haitian boat people in Jamaica ,They where pick up from the shaw with a dirty truck like cows, while police beat them to hold in . This remind me of the stories I read about the middle passage. In contrast, when a group of Cuban did arrive as boat people, they where pick up in a clean bus with sits for every passenger. As an observer ,an educator and a politician I will not allow this contrast to fill my heart with hate. I love Jamaica , I love its people, in fact, my wife is Jamaican, my daugter is Jamaican ,I am a JamHaitian.
Oil in Haiti would be our chance to become a global donor in the fight against poverty, not a receiver of the so called international aid which often goes to NGOs that mostly spend it in lavishing luxurious life styles.
I wish to hear the government telling the people what they intend to do with the news of significant oil wells in Haiti.I demand a proper debate on the matter so that we may start looking at more significant ways to sharpen the Haitian dream.
Louinel Jean