Union wants review of Exxon contract

Jul 06, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor;
The People United and General Workers Union (PU&GWU) sees the move by the APNU+AFC Government to review the 1999 Exxon Mobil contract as an excellent and clever move and the government should be applauded and fully complemented for such a move since the government will have an opportune to make new proposal that can modify, improves and remove any deficient that the contract may contained. The contract was made between Exxon Mobil and the former PPP/C Government since 1999 (over 17 years ago) we are now in the year 2016 and we have a new government which have the full right to review and make changes to any contract that was signed by the said previous administration and also from the time the contract was made to this year 2016 the price and other condition surrounding oil market has change globally for e.g.;
Venezuela as proven oil reserves in 2013 (billion barrels): 297.6. Total oil supply in 2012 (thousand barrels per day): 2,489.2 Venezuela surpassed Saudi Arabia last year to become the holder of the largest oil reserves in the world but yet still the Venezuela is facing serious economic crisis and has such having oil is one thing but managing it productively in a sustainable manner is another thing and the APNU+AFC government needs to take theses mention realty surrounding the oil market including the mention Venezuela situation into deep consideration during the review process of the1999 Exxon Mobil contract etc.
Editor, the PU&GWU without the shadow of a doubt is confident that the1999 Exxon Mobil contract need to be review and modify hence the Government need to make a new draft and enter into negotiation with Exxon Mobil so that the contract can be amended to accommodate and include the following:
(a) The Government draft proposal should provide for Exxon Mobil to finance and establish a school in Guyana that will teach, train and equip Guyanese with certificates that will qualified them to be employed with Exxon Mobil when the company goes into full operations etc.
(b) The Government draft should include the percentage of Guyanese that will be employed with the Company as against how many expatriates will be employed for e.g. Guyanese should at all times be the higher percentage of employees to be employed with the Company.
(c) The Government draft should include clause that provides for Guyanese to be paid international, rates, benefits working conditions and safety standers etc.
(d) The Government draft should include all international requirements that an oil Rig Company have to meet to conduct it operates in the oil industry etc.
Editor, When Exxon Mobil goes into full operation and production most of the oil produce by the Company may have to be ship to overseas markets as such the APNU+AFC Government without any hesitation should swiftly move in the direction to establish a Deepwater harbours at Berbice River which is an essential points of transit for incoming people and goods. Primarily, deep water harbours are fundamental to the movement of exports and imports from and to a country.
In the Caribbean, the Port of Bridgetown in Barbados has immensely increased trade activities in the island and drastically boosted the tourism sector. Barbados’ Deepwater harbour now acts as a homeport for many of the British­based Cruise ship lines operating in the Caribbean region, directly impacting the tourism sector and ultimately the economy, owing to the revenue generated from tourists who are almost always willing to spend.
The Deepwater harbours will not just benefit the Exxon Mobil Company to transship its oil produce but it will also improve the maritime sector in Guyana and boost business in the shipping sector, generate revenue to the country economy create jobs for Guyanese and strengthen, improve and qualify Guyana port to meet international safety and security standards etc.
The Ministry of Social Protection labour department and Guyana Maritime Sector needs to be equip with safety officers who are exports that have the full knowledge and qualifications as it relates to safety on oil rigs so they can highlight breach of any safety rules or laws which can endanger the life of workers etc.
Inclosing The People United and General Workers Union wishes to state, that if the APNU+AFC Government don’t manager Guyana resources properly and also if they don’t sign good contracts with foreign companies operating in Guyana such as Exxon Mobil Guyana can end up in a crises just as Venezuela and Guyana will continue to remain as a third country etc.
Micah Williams
General Secretary
The People United and General Workers Union

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