WWF calls for full impact assessment on oil & gas sector

– says well-structured, transparent and equitable mechanism needed to avoid destruction

The World Wide Fund for Nature-Guyana (WWF) has called for a full Social and Environmental Impact Assessment of the overall oil and gas sector, taking into account current and future plans, so that citizens can be better informed and prepared for the changes that will take place.
In its statement, WWF placed this call in the context of the recent controversy surrounding the clearing of mangroves along the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) by TriStar Development, seeking to erect a US$100 million shore base facility.
“Such an assessment will give decision-makers and the public-at-large an objective view of the range of impacts from the industry, that has already begun to transform the country. Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, done at a project, sector or policy level provide a strong and objective means to help stakeholders to better understand issues that will affect them, their communities and the environment to which they are connected.”

“Beyond the specific issue of mangroves and shore base development, the full development programme for offshore oil and gas production is yet to be known, and as such it is difficult to anticipate and plan ahead for these impacts. While a few may have a grasp of the issues, the average person has little chance to engage on most of these issues in a fact-based or rational manner,” the WWF said.
The WWF cited the importance of ensuring that Guyana’s upcoming exponential growth, which will see a double-digit explosion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is balanced by the country remaining at low risk for losing its low-carbon sustainable reputation.
“Though not a silver bullet, a full assessment of the oil and gas industry will certainly help. People need to be aware and fully engaged on such a mammoth transformational development that will make Guyana the biggest per capita petro-producer in the world in a few years’ time.”
“A well-structured, transparent and equitable mechanism is needed for the country to have any chance to ensure that the oil and gas sector does not destroy our society as has happened in most other oil producing developing countries, much less to ensure Guyana’s continued commitment to a low carbon and sustainable future,” WWF said.
Concerns were raised after the developer, TriStar Incorporated, cleared a large swathe of mangroves in order to establish a multi-million-dollar shore-based facility at the Versailles-Malgre Tout, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) shoreline.
Reports indicate that the developer cleared more mangroves than it was permitted to, and stakeholders have since expressed concerns about the negative impacts this move could have as it relates to flooding.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had subsequently said at a press conference that the clearing of the mangroves for this economic development would have no effect on Guyana’s international climate-related commitments or its reputation as a carbon sink. Moreover, he had assured that the US$100 million facility would be complemented by steel piles that would be built to mitigate floods.