Dear Editor,
The issues that have resulted from the oil & gas sector’s development plan must be effectively addressed. Exxon is obviously aware that what they are doing is placing the residents of Crane and the surrounding villages at risk. Their health have been compromised and their homes have been severely affected. The EPA may try to turn a blind eye to their plight, but the use of ridiculous excuses for the presence of sulfur dioxide will not fool the Guyanese people. We have previously had gas coming out of the ground, now we have sulfur dioxide and oils surfacing. The EIAs that were supposed to take place are not happening and now the agency that is supposed to protect the health of the environment of the Guyanese people are telling us that a rubber mat in one house is the cause of the oils surfacing. How ridiculous! The oil and gas are proving to be a problem in all of these villages near the gas pipeline.
Greed is a terrible thing. Those in charge of the sector must put a halt to what is going on with the nearby drilling and the gas to energy project. Do a proper study, conduct a thorough EIA and don’t let the financial gains cloud your judgment and influence the results. Wealth is of no use if people will become sick and die from such endeavours. The government will need to make amends, willingly or forcefully. Exxon can be sued once again for knowingly doing something wrong. These bad business practices will stop if the government ensures that the EPA does its job correctly. If there is no care for the welfare of the Guyanese people then there is care for their votes so they can stay in power and keep making money from bad decisions, such as reducing the amount owed by Exxon from over reporting their expenses. At least the GRA knows how to review Exxon’s work. The EPA needs to follow suit. Those managing the sector have yet to show that they care more about the Guyanese people’s health than the fleeting dollar. The people must let those who are being irresponsible and risking their health and lives in the pursuit of a quick dollar know that they will no longer support such bad behaviour. Elections are coming and every vote counts! Demand your right to a healthy environment in which a healthy family can be raised.
CRG is calling for the restructuring of the EPA and the inclusion of those with strong environmental stewardship credentials on the agency’s board. A halt to the gas to energy project must occur and an EIA carried out. Drilling in the nearby area should also be halted to allow Exxon and the government to review and conduct the necessary environmental assessment. Something is obviously wrong, and the current concerns being raised by the residents in the area are clearly showing that the studies that have been completed by Exxon and the EPA for one of these projects, if not both, are flawed.
Sincerely,
Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of
Guyana
