The Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) is to make a decision on the way forward in the wake of a public hearing regarding the reapplication by SLB Guyana for an environmental permit to operate a radioactive source storage and calibration facility at Lot 1 Area X, Houston, East Bank Demerara.
At the hearing, held on September 13, representatives of SLB Guyana (formerly Schlumberger Guyana Inc) held out their company as experienced and responsible in pressing for the permit. However, environmental activists and residents of the area argued that an independent environmental impact assessment (EIA) should be carried out before any decisions are made.
Among the points of consideration listed by SLB is that it has been in operation for several decades and has a good track record of handling such materials.