Monday’s consultation at the Umana Yana for what is intended to be ExxonMobil’s seventh oil extraction project saw concerns raised over potential environmental damage, the absence of transparency and the impact of the cost of living.
A relatively low attendance did not quell the onslaught of criticisms at the Hammerhead Public Consultation. Another was held earlier in the day at Leonora.
The consultation at the Umana Yana focused on gathering information for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which has to be done. The project, pending government approval, is scheduled to begin production in 2029, significantly boosting the nation’s oil capacity to over 1.4 million barrels per day.