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Amerindian body seeks Parliamentary meeting on Petroleum Bill
As the administration continues to face pressure to ensure it has the best deal possible with US-owned ExxonMobil and its partners, at least one Indigenous group has signaled intentions to learn as much as possible.
The National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) in a released letter dated yesterday indicated that it has written Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, calling for a meeting with the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Petroleum Commission Bill.
“The Indigenous Peoples representatives – the National Toshaos’ Council along with our sister organizations, the Indigenous NGO’s, are seeking an engagement with the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Petroleum Commission Bill,” Chairman of NTC, Toshao Joel Fredericks said in the letter.
The Toshao explained that his organization was seeking to do a presentation to the Committee on this issue to satisfy the “inclusive consultative process” on this very important Bill.
NTC Chairman, Toshao Joel Fredericks
“We are furnishing this request in recognition of our rights under Article 9 and Article 13, respectively, of Guyana’s Constitution. We are kindly requesting your most timely response to this request to better guide our next steps.”
The Bill provides for a legal framework for regulating and monitoring efficient, safe, effective and environmentally-responsible exploration, development and production of petroleum in Guyana. It caters, also, for the establishment and functions of the Petroleum Commission of Guyana. The Commission will deal with all petroleum-related matters.
The Bill contains 51 clauses and is divided into 6 parts.
Exxon is preparing to start production on the Liza-1 well, on its Stabroek Block concession, by 2020, paving the way for Guyana to have it first commercially-produced oil.
However, the good news has come with questions about what exactly Guyana is getting.
According to the deal, Guyana will collect a two percent royalty on every barrel and share the profits 50/50. However, there are concerns about the mechanisms to determine that profit share.
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