Dear Editor,
In the infancy of our oil industry, the government of the day signed an oil contract that heavily favoured the oil companies far more than it did Guyana. Many politicians have since admitted their error/s but said the contract is sacrosanct. They blamed their billion dollar “error” on inexperience and a rush to bring investment to the country.
A few years and three oil ships later, it seems that our politicians have still not learnt and continue to give wanton benefit to the oil companies to the detriment of our country. The most recent matter is in the ruling by a learned judge on oil spill coverage which obviously benefits all citizens of Guyana. Our government, who was voted into power by the same citizens of Guyana, is leading the charge to overturn the ruling in favour of something more favourable to the oil companies. While an oil spill costs many billions to clean up, the government is pushing for a coverage that will only cover a fraction of the costs. Who then covers the rest if a worst case scenario does arrive? Guyana government? With what money??? .
It befuddles the mind why a government would fight against something that so obviously benefits them and their people in a massive way? There must be a forum where our leaders explain to us clearly and concisely how they intend to cover an oil spill if Exxon’s coverage only covers a fraction of the costs? And please do not come to us and say that an oil spill is highly unlikely to happen. There are numerous instances of oil spills all over the world and the gargantuan costs to do the cleanup. And I am certain the oil companies in those areas also told those people that a spill was highly unlikely.
It is time to have more public information on this matter. It should not only be senior government officials providing such ‘information’. Arrange debates where individuals with both proposing and opposing opinions can speak on the matter. For too long it is only government officials that are doing the public speaking. And there is no government in the world that knows everything. Maybe our premier academic institution – UG – can lead on this matter and arrange a series of discussions on oil spill and its implications. Alternatively, may I respectfully suggest that your newspaper start carrying a columnist who is versed in this matter. Maybe the former EPA Director, Dr Adams or former government advisor Dr Jan Mangal? Both esteemed gentlemen seem more versed in the industry than those speaking for the government. The more the citizens know about this issue, the better they will be able to gauge the government’s action/s and hold them accountable.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)
