26 NEWS
SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
No need for Guyana to worry: ExxonMobil also accountable to US Govt – former EPA Director
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Murray Housefacilitated panel discussion on Saturday saw contributions from civil society on how Guyana can better manage its oil and gas sector, including recommendations of 24/7 monitoring on the rigs of oil companies to ensure there is no value leakages or breaches of production licences. This particular recommendation came from former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
this oversight of the offshore operations of oil companies in Guyana’s waters. However, Adams admitted that the unit has, in fact, never been set up, owing to budgetary delays. He expressed hope that the unit will be set up under the current People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government. Adams also noted that while there has not been any independent verification of the oil potential of
and get away with it,” Dr Adams also said. What he did recommend, however, is that the capacity be built to ensure that Guyana has qualified people who can do verifications of their own. This, according to Adams, means investing in human resource. So far, the Liza-1 well has accounted for all of Guyana’s oil production. The Bank of Guyana’s last half-year report, which covers the period up to the end
earnings from production in the Liza field. It was deposited in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in March of this year. An additional sum of $7.3 billion was subsequently deposited, as well as royalty payments. However, this money has remained untouched, as the protracted political crisis that followed the March 2 General and Regional elections sabotaged any attempt to set up a system for withdrawing funds. The Natural Resource
“As far as I know, all the data comes out of Exxon, but I don’t think I have any issues with that. Exxon is not going to… they have more accountability than Guyana to deal with, in terms of reporting numbers…“So, it’s not just they can willy nilly say they’re going to put eight billion barrels of oil on their books, so they can enhance the financial appearance. They’re not going to be allowed to do that and get away with it.” – Dr Vincent Adams Fund Act stipulates that various committees must be established to provide oversight for the fund. It is ex-
pected that this legislation will be reviewed by the current Government this year.
(G3)
Attorney Llewellyn John dies
G The Liza Destiny FPSO, where much of Exxon’s oil production is processed
Director Dr Vincent Adams, who spoke of the importance of ensuring that oil companies are monitored at all times and that the State does not depend on reports from the company. “We have to have 24/7 coverage, on-site monitoring. So that we can see exactly what’s going on. In my experience, over 90 per cent of the time, when you sit in your office and whatever the contractor is reporting, (cannot be relied on),” Adams informed the panel. The petroleum engineer said that during his time at the EPA, they worked with the World Bank to develop a unit of “36 highly trained staff” who could provide
the Stabroek Block, oil giant ExxonMobil also has to be accountable to its United States (US) Government and thus must be transparent and accountable regarding its oil fields. “As far as I know, all the data comes out of Exxon, but I don’t think I have any issues with that. Exxon is not going to… they have more accountability than Guyana to deal with, in terms of reporting numbers.” “So, it’s not just they can willy nilly say they’re going to put eight billion barrels of oil on their books, so they can enhance the financial appearance. They’re not going to be allowed to do that
of June 2020, had previously revealed that Guyana produced over 10 million barrels of oil during the first half of 2020. Guyana, with oil giant ExxonMobil as operator, began producing oil on December 20, 2019, in the Stabroek Block, lifting its first million barrels of profit oil from the Liza-1 well in February 2020. Oil tanker Cap Phillippe transported this lift from the Liza Destiny floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, allowing Guyana to receive its first payment the next month. That money, $11.4 billion, constituted Guyana’s first oil revenue-based
uyanese lawyer, Senior Counsel Llewellyn John died on Saturday at his Croal Street, Georgetown law office. He was 95 years old. He married Evelyn Rose Arthur in 1956 and had five children – Helen, Richard, Dina, Marie and Hannah. Born on January 25, 1925, Clifton Mortimer Llewellyn John spent most of his working life as a solicitor and attorney-at-law. His legal career spanned Llewellyn John receiving his Commission of Appointment as six decades and lasted un- Senior Counsel in 2017 til his death. He entered also a leading member of the prescriptive title practice. politics at a very young age League of Coloured Peoples, With the passage of time, he and was part of the Forbes becoming the editor of the would have represented tens Burnham team that trav- “Sentinel” newspaper and, of thousands of Guyanese, elled to London to negoti- later, as Assistant General moreover, the ordinary litiate Guyana’s Independence Secretary of the PNC, of the gants.” from British rule in 1961. “New Nation” newspaper. Nandlall went on to say One of John’s most sigthat John certainly made his nificant representation in mark in Guyana, especially Sympathies court in recent times was Following news of his in the legal profession. his involvement in the series death, condolences poured “He portrayed certain of litigations filed after the in, with many from the le- unique qualities: his style of March 2, 2020 General and gal fraternity taking to so- dress, his style of speaking Regional Elections, when cial media to express their and writing and his manthe country was plunged sympathies. nerisms were all inimitainto a political and electoral The Guyana Association bly his. He was a hardworkdeadlock. of Women Lawyers (GAWL) ing and tenacious lawyer John was conferred in a brief post on Facebook who championed the causwith the national award of said, “We are saddened to es of his clients with gusto Cacique Crown of Honour inform you of the passing and perseverance. No doubt (CCH) in 2015 and Senior of our colleague and friend, the profession will miss him. Counsel (SC) status in 2017 Clifton Mortimer Llewellyn I shared a very cordial and – both by former President John, C.C.H., S.C. fondly humorous relationship with David Granger. known as Llewellyn John, him. I will miss him.” He was also a longstand- S.C. who transitioned home Education Minister Priya ing member of the People’s today, 16th January, 2021. Manickchand, who is also an National Congress (PNC). Our condolences are extend- attorney-at-law, also shared The party and its leader, ed to his children and all oth- a post on social media of Granger, in a statement on er family and friends. May an encounter she had with Saturday evening, extended his soul rest in eternal per- the veteran lawyer back in condolences to John’s family, fect peace and rise in glory.” March 2020. particularly his children. “We were on the corMeanwhile, Attorney He said John was General and Legal Affairs ridor of the High Court elected a Member of the Minister, Anil Nandlall re- where Chief Justice Roxane National Assembly and membered John as a le- George had just ruled that served as Minister of Local gal stalwart, who was one that record of the SOPs Government, Minister of Guyana’s first native so- (Statements of Poll) must be of Home Affairs and licitors and later became a used after displaying same Minister of Agriculture Barrister-at-Law. to the political parties as per in the People’s National “As a lawyer, there is no the law... I always liked Mr Congress-United Force coa- one who appeared in more John. This day we held dilition Administration from election petitions or elec- ametrically opposed posi1964 to 1969. During that tion-related cases than Mr tions on the election that time, he was a Member of John, from Independence to was extant and the madParliament. He later es- current time. He was an au- ness that was unfolding but tablished his own party, thority in the area of local I was helping him get back the People’s Democratic government law and prac- to his office. May his soul Movement. tices. He also enjoyed a large RIP,” Manickchand posted The legal luminary was land law, conveyancing and on Facebook.
