Last updated on Friday, 5 March 2021, 20:23 by Denis Chabrol
David Patterson
Opposition The Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU + AFC) wants the National Assembly to approve a proposal for oil and gas beach shores to be State owned and based in Berbice and Essequibo.
“It is a further decision that the Government informs ExxonMobil and all other Oil and Gas operators that all future shore bases will be state owned but leased to private operators to maximize the benefit of all Guyanese , ”The coalition says.
In a proposal sponsored by David Patterson of APNU + AFC and seconded by Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones, the coalition said that action should be taken following the establishment of a multi-agency task force to prepare a land use policy specifically for the oil and oil sector. gas. This task force, the motion states, should require the task force to submit its report to this Assembly, as soon as possible but within six months.
As such, the opposition is asking the National Assembly to approve the government advising ExxonMobil to suspend its Request for Information on future seafront facilities until the task force completes its work within six months. a month. The RFI seeks to identify who contractors can provide fully functional, fit for purpose clean base facilities to support their needs for future projects, beginning 2023.
Noting that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission and other agencies had yet to formulate a holistic policy on land use and zoning to provide ideal locations for industrial activities to support the Oil and Gas Industry, the coalition. said that Houston, Guyana Shore Base Inc., Houston, East Bank, which is only land-based, was originally a commercial container terminal, which was repositioned to serve the emerging oil and gas sector. ‘ r obvious.
APNU + AFC said Houston, which was zoned by the CH&PA as a residential area, is now home to most oil and gas businesses. The recommendations in the proposal were also made in the context of the oil and gas sector being located between two large residential communities – Ruimveldt and Mc Doom – affecting homes and commuters. “The increased activity has caused traffic congestion and other inconvenience, which is a constant inconvenience to residents and travelers,” the coalition added. The coalition said residents of Houston Gardens have successfully petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to disapprove permits for oil and gas activities close to their residences.
Christopher Jones.
With Guyana Shore Base Inc. located on the Demerara River, the busiest river in the country responsible for nearly 90% of the cargo in a container in the country, APNU + AFC wants the House to approve advising the National Assembly on for onshore centers in the future. be in Berbice and Essequibo counties.
The opposition said that if done, it would “ensure equality in the development of the oil and gas industry and the equal development across Guyana for the benefit of all citizens.” APNU + AFC states that while it is recognized that additional beach bases are required, these must be developed as part of a macro-development plan and not driven solely by oil sector call forces.
The proposal states that Guyana has approved three development plans for ExxonMobil (Liza I, Liza II and Payara), and in addition, the company has announced its intention to apply for a 4th development plan (Yellowtail) before end of 2021.