Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Shurwayne Holder on Tuesday strongly criticized the government’s handling of the oil and gas sector in Guyana. Highlighting concerns over the accelerated pace of production and environmental safety, Holder emphasized the lack of sufficient liability measures for potential oil spills. He pointed out the absence of a sufficient parent guarantee from ExxonMobil Corporation for its subsidiary’s operations in the Stabroek Block. Holder argued that this represents a significant oversight in the eyes of the opposition as well as many Guyanese.
The MP further expressed frustration over the necessity for legal action by citizens to access the US$2 billion affiliate company guarantee for oil spills, lodged with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Adding to his critique, Holder condemned the government’s secrecy surrounding the results of cost recovery audits of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited. He lamented that the initial audit, reviewing US$1.7 billion in costs from 1999 to 2016, was not publicly released by the government and only came to light through media leaks.
“We say to the government, shame! We say to the government that that attitude is unpatriotic. We say to the government that this practice of wanton secrecy must come to an end,” Holder declared.
As the Shadow Natural Resources Minister, Holder accused the government of failing its people by not clarifying the future steps towards arbitration for the US$214 million identified in the first audit as disputed costs. He criticized the government’s financial strategies, stating, “…it is nonsensical to borrow millions of US dollars when you have moneys available for you to retrieve. The government must take this seriously and we will stand with every patriotic Guyanese to hold their feet to the fire until they fulfill their duty.”
