Representatives of the Region One Council, coastal village councils and other agencies, recently participated in an oil spill demonstration at Waini Point, Shell Beach.
The exercise, which was executed by ExxonMobil with the support of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Regional Democratic Council, the Protected Areas Commission, the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration Department, was done to equip persons in the event that an oil spill was to occur.
An ExxonMobil release reported that Capt. Salim October of the CDC stated that this sort of preparation is an important part of the country’s overall preparedness to respond to a potential oil spill. “Engaging in this exercise no doubt is considered proactive and to some extent it is considered preventative,” he said.
ExxonMobil’s Country Manager, Rod Henson, in his address last Friday, noted that the company’s fundamental goal wherever it operates, is to ensure that there are no environmental incidents. He also said to residents that the company would like to ensure that theirs and other communities remain beautiful and untouched, as ExxonMobil is committed to safe and environmentally friendly operations, as mandated in its corporate environmental policy.
“Not only do we comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, but we seek to go beyond these where practical and apply international standards where laws and regulations do not exist. Already, we have partnered with key agencies over the years and even here in Region One to ensure that the natural beauty of coastal communities and life beyond the shores remain intact,” Henson stated.
The ExxonMobil release said that Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, said that the administration is pleased that coastal communities are now better able to protect themselves from oil spill disasters, should they occur.
“This exercise while it may seem very simple, it is very important and significant to the development of this new-found wealth in our country in which as a people at the local level (we) will be empowered to know what needs to be done if there should be an oil spill,” Ashley stated.
