The story of a man dying of a heart attack in a city hotel after a sexual encounter with his girlfriend and her escaping through a window because she panicked, gained more attention this week in Guyana than news about protecting our environment from possible disasters and pollution because of oil production.
The distractions are many to keep the masses uninformed about the issues that not only affect us now, but the future of our country. But even when they are informed, many ignore or pretend that the elephant in the room that threatens us is not there. It seems like the revolution that must be had in this country will never come. The revolution to demand that we the Guyanese people are first in our country and that we are respected and protected at all costs.
The distractions, such as the many fetes, social media conflicts and other trivial occurrences gain more attention than potential threats to our environment and dangers to our existence. Many are living only for the now and not thinking about the Guyana that our children and grandchildren will inherit.
Yes, we might have new roads, fancy hotels, restaurants, and foreign investors, but how safe will it be to live in Guyana if we are polluted because of the oil industry? How will we breathe the air without becoming ill if our environment is so severely damaged by actions that may occur because of the oil industry and others?
The High Court made a significant ruling this week when it ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to compel ExxonMobil’s subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) to provide the unlimited liability Parent Company Guarantee and Environmental Liability Insurance within 30 days. During his ruling, Judge Sandil Kissoon said, “The agency sought refuge in silence, avoidance, concealment and secrecy notwithstanding the grave potential danger and consequences to the state and citizens if an event occurred at the Liza Phase 1 Petroleum Production facilities in the Stabroek Offshore Guyana in absence of such financial assurances mandated by the Environmental Permit (Renewed) at Condition 14.”
The actions of the EPA are concerning. We would hope that our institutions that are there for the protection of the people and the environment cannot be bullied or bought. But the actions of the EPA are questionable. It may be deduced that they are bowing to the wants and needs of the oil companies rather than compelling them to obey the laws of this land in the best interest of our people.
How deep does the rabbit hole go when it appears the oil companies are influencing the EPA on what should and should not be done? Is the EPA intimidated by the oil giants whose feet are stomping on our grounds, reverberating around our country, and affecting the cost of living and the way of life? Or is the EPA so confident in the assurances that there will not be a disaster in Guyana such as an oil spill that it can be lax with enforcement?
A few days ago, I saw a video on the Guyana Uncut Facebook page. It was a video of flaring from a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) platform which was stated to be Liza Unity. My understanding was that flaring was to occur at the start of oil production and during emergencies. Last year, the EPA was paid US$9 million by ExxonMobil for the flaring of excess gas in the Stabroek Block. But can the money pay for the potential dangers to the people and the environment? Excess gas flaring can impact the environment and the health of the people. During flaring, methane, carbon dioxide and other gases are released which contribute to global warming and climate change. It increases the threat of acid rain and can have negative impacts on the ecological system. Because of the many toxic substances that are released during flaring people can develop respiratory illnesses and the risk of cancer is increased.
While Guyanese are more concerned about what the wife and girlfriend of the man who died in the hotel had to say, how many are looking into the possible negative effects flaring can have on our country? How many are researching how disastrous it can be if an oil spill were to occur? How many are willing to stand and hold the oil companies and the EPA accountable?
There are those who, when concerns are raised, will accuse people of not wanting to see development in Guyana. Yes, we welcome development, but it should not be at the cost of the people and their future. And while we continue to talk about progress and the fastest growing economy, the average Guyanese is still poor and struggling and has not benefited from oil.
What is also concerning about the ruling earlier this week is that Attorney General Anil Nandlall has said that the decision will be appealed. Is the government fighting for the people or the oil companies? What does this say to us?
“This ruling can have profound ramifications and grave economic and other impacts on the public interest and national development. As a result, the decision of the learned judge will be appealed and orders will be sought to stay its effect until the hearing and determination of the appeal,” Nandlall said.
He also said that for almost a year the EPA and EEPGL negotiated for a Parent Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement worth US$2 billion in liability coverage.
We the people do not see the secret caves in which the government negotiates with the oil companies and perhaps we do not know the extent to which Guyana was sold for 30 pieces of silver. It is frightening. While the masses are distracted by an abundance of foolishness, enough people are not asking the right questions and demanding answers about Guyana’s relationships with the oil companies.
A few days ago, someone shared a story about an encounter his friend had on the East Bank road. The friend was driving, and two sand trucks were racing. There are ongoing complaints about how sand trucks drive recklessly but there seems to be little effort to address the issue, while people continue to die. Nevertheless, the man, to avoid being hit by the racing sand trucks, had to think quickly, and drive off the road. If he had not done that he would have been hit by the trucks and most likely killed.
I say that the racing sand trucks can be seen as the companies that are coming into our country because of the oil boom. We are the man in the car. The companies are racing towards success and generational wealth and do not care how Guyanese are trampled and destroyed in the process. The question we must ask ourselves is if we, like the quick-thinking driver, will be able to veer off the road of disaster in time to save ourselves?
