Canadian Queen’s Counsel Alison Redford has been hired to review plans for ExxonMobil’s third proposed oil well, Payara.
A release today from the Ministry of Natural Resources said that Redford serves as a World Bank Advisor on Gas Sector Reform in Pakistan and also as an advisor in other jurisdictions, as they develop novel approaches to upstream regulation and community engagement. She has also worked on several bilateral and multilateral projects particularly in energy sector regulation and has worked in multiple countries on behalf of the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the European Union.
Questions are already being raised as to whether Redford, a former Premier of the Canadian province of Alberta from 2011 to 2014, is a suitable person to review the Payara Field Development Plan (FDP).
Her résumé says that prior to entering politics Redford worked mainly on institutional change and public sector reform and governance of regulatory institutions in post-conflict situations. The review of the FDP would require technical knowledge of such plans which does not appear to be part of Redford’s qualifications.
Redford spoke at the February 2018 Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit and Exhibition.
She stepped down as Alberta’s premier in 2104 after two and a half years following a series of questions about her leadership and controversy over expenditure on plane tickets.
In August, 2014, provincial Auditor General Merwan Saher had found Redford and her office used taxpayer money “inappropriately” during her time as Alberta premier, with planes used for personal and partisan purposes, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Saher’s report said in part:.
“They consistently failed to demonstrate in the documents we examined that their travel expenses were necessary and a reasonable and appropriate use of public resources,” Saher wrote.
“Premier Redford used public assets (aircraft) for personal and partisan purposes. And Premier Redford was involved in a plan to convert public space in a public building into personal living space.
“How could this have happened? The answer is the aura of power around Premier Redford and her office and the perception that the influence of the office should not be questioned.”
The terms of reference for Redford’s engagement by the government have not yet been published.
Jan Mangal, advisor on oil and gas to former President David Granger had this to say on Redford’s appointment on his Facebook page:
“How many FDP’s has Ms Redford reviewed or overseen, for deepwater developments similar to Payara? My assumption is ZERO.
“Guyanese, you cannot allow this blatant mismanagement of your oil wealth”.
The release from the ministry said that Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat today met with the independent Canadian consultant along with the heads of relevant agencies including Dr. Mark Bynoe – Department of Energy, Dr. Vincent Adams – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Mr. Newell Dennison – Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
According to Bharrat, the new Government is conducting a holistic review of the Payara Development Project. The release said that the review will play a pivotal role in informing the decision making relating to the application for the permits by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary EEPGL.
He emphasized that the review process takes on a multi-agency approach which includes the GGMC, EPA and other technical officers of the Petroleum Division.
“The Minister anticipates that the review will directly address concerns raised previously which will not only benefit the oil companies but ensure economic empowerment for all Guyanese”, the release added.
The Natural Resources Minister also pointed out that the review is in keeping with the President’s commitment to transparency and accountability within the natural resources sector.
Bharrat expressed appreciation on behalf of the Government of Guyana to the Government of Canada who responded promptly to this collaborative effort.
