Chamber of Commerce joins call for release of ExxonMobil’s contract

Jun 18, 2017 News

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has joined the call made by several sections of society for the release of ExxonMobil’s contract.
At a recent press conference, GCCI’s Senior Vice-President Nicolas Boyer expressed the collective concern of several entrepreneurs about the non disclosure of such an important contract.
Boyer told the media, “As a chamber we are advocating for the release of the Exxon contract publicly, because we believe in transparency, and we believe that the find (oil) belongs to Guyana and Exxon is helping us realize this find.”
Boyer continued, “All Guyanese should have at least a chance to read the contract and understand how it was negotiated.”
He said that Guyanese should be able to have a voice in the content of the contract. “Therefore we strongly support the call for the release of this important contract.”
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) opposition, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI), have all called for the release of the contract.
TIGI also called for Parliament to be able to shine a light of transparency on all negotiations between Guyana and the said company.
TIGI expressed the view that Exxon, the major player, has a reputation to protect and would shun corrupt transactions.
TIGI has said, “Most of the cards the government is keeping to its chest are stacked in Exxon’s favour. Exxon is a descendant of the company that invented the oil industry and a key player and superpower in this global sector. Exxon will have more information – a vital element of negotiation – than the Guyana officials will ever dream exists.”
The transparency body added, “An indispensable approach to even the odds that are stacked against Guyana in the negotiations is to publish the contract drafts and make the negotiations accountable to Parliament.”
TIGI said that in this way, Guyanese in the Diaspora whose knowledge is vast in this area will be able to make contributions to the process, and thus protect the country’s interest.
TIGI also pointed out that it finds it hard to swallow, some of the reasons proffered in the media by Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman for the Exxon Contract not being released.
The body said that the government’s willingness to ignore the mountain of evidence against contract secrecy and the potential ills associated with a developing oil industry is baffling.
”This is especially so, given its stated commitment to transparency and accountability. We call for a full release of the contract with ExxonMobil and its partners.”

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