Civil Society Group tells Govt. to channel rage towards oil companies instead of advocates for better Exxon deal

Liability Coverage For Oil Spills

new terms to Stabroek Block deal

Members of the Oil and Gas

Governance Network (OGGN) on Friday said that it has noticed an alarming trend where the government is now in full attack mode against advocates for a better Stabroek Block Production SharingAgreement(PSA).

The civil society group whose members are from the Guyanese Diaspora is of the view that this fury is misplaced.

They believe the government's anger should be directed towards the oil companies and ensuring the country gets its fair share of thediscoveredresources.

In a letter to the p r e s s s i g n e d b y

Darshanand Khusial , Alfred Bhulai, Janette Bulkan, Mike Persaud, Joe Persaud, Charles Sugrim, Ganga

Ramdas, and Andre

Brandli the stakeholders saidthegovernmentseemsto forgettherightsofthepeople as enshrined in Article 13 of theConstitution.

That provision states: “The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decisionmaking processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-makingthatdirectly affecttheirwell-being.”

With the foregoing in mind, OGGN alluded that it isthereforetheconstitutional rightofthepeopletofightfor a better deal by lending their voicestosuchacause.

It also sought to clarify that it by no means is calling for a halt of oil operations.

“As per our mission statement, which can be r e a d h e r e , www oggn org/about, we advocate rule of law, environmental protection and financial norms with respect to oil exploration and productioninGuyana.

That is, we put the priorities of the citizens of Guyana ahead of the oil companies,”thegroupsaid.

It also noted that it has recognizedthatGuyanahasa smallpopulationwhichisnot familiar with all aspects of the new petroleum industry OGGN said, “The oil companies, some of which have existed for more than 100 years, will exploit our lack of knowledge and understanding for the benefit of their shareholders

However, Guyana has a large educated Diaspora that can help navigate this new petroleum industry for the benefit of all Guyanese Thus,weseektoengagewith Guyanese to achieve our missionstatement.”

The civil society stakeholders said it is critical that the government remembers it was elected by citizenstorepresenttheirbest interests, and not those of the oilcompanies.

Toshowthatitisworking for the people, OGGN said government should demand that there is full liability coverage for oil spills as required by the Stabroek Block environmental permits.

It also said that the governmentwasapplyingthe terms it is advocating for the new oil contracts to the Stabroek Block PSA. These new terms include the application of a 10 percent royalty and the payment of corporatetaxes.

Through these and other efforts, OGGN said the government can demonstrate it understands its role by using its energy to work on these priorities instead of going after groups in civil society that raise legitimate concerns.