This terrible oil spill is a wakeup call for Guyanese

Feb 21, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

Now that more and more information is being revealed about the massive oil spill wreaking havoc and polluting not only the marine environment of Tobago but spreading towards the maritime boundaries of Grenada and Venezuela; here are some questions.

Can Guyana’s Energy Authority whose duties and responsibilities include administering and monitoring petroleum imports, maintenance of energy statistics, marking and testing of gasoline, diesel and kerosene imported and issuing of licences to importers, wholesalers, retailers and transporters of petroleum and petroleum products, inform the Guyanese public, Tobago and Trinidad residents, fishermen and the public on maritime attorney Nyree Alfonso’s information, SN Feb 20, 2024 that the name of the barge which capsized and is leaking oil in Trinidad & Tobago waters is ‘Coolie Boy’ allegedly owned by a Guyanese entity, this shipment of oil was bound for Guyana and the consignee (the recipient of the goods being shipped or transported) is also Guyanese. Reports have also circulated that this barge full of oil was allegedly for GPL’s recently acquired used generators.

It is a sad and shocking reality that while the well -heeled, rich and powerful leaders and captains of the global and local oil & gas industry are enjoying all the perks of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, a massive oil spill is taking place just off Guyana Exclusive Economic Zone polluting the waters and beaches of Tobago without adequate and emergency mobilization of all necessary resources to stop more and more oil leaking, ramp up clean-up efforts and take all measures to protect the health & well-being of citizens, the fishing and tourism industry from this environmental disaster.

We also see, in the fastest growing economy worldwide, our teachers who continue to be the worst paid in the entire Caribbean in the midst of Guyana’s oil bonanza. We do not need a five-star hotel for the rich and powerful we need a healthy environment and a living wage for our teachers now and the upholding of our constitutional right to collective bargaining so teachers can also go back to teaching our children. This terrible oil spill is a wakeup call for Guyanese and Caricom citizens to ensure and demand for full liability insurance from Exxon Mobil Guyana Inc.

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