PRIME MINISTER, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, has charged the National Oil Spill Committee (NOSC) to be proactive in finding and dealing with potential threats emanating from the oil and gas industry. He was at the time delivering remarks during a virtual orientation session for members of the NOSC to appraise them of their roles and responsibilities for effective oil spill management. “Recognise the individual and institutional responsibilities which have been entrusted upon you. I urge that you prioritise proactivity in both your plans and actions, so that Guyana can aggressively and effectively manage the threats of our oil and gas industry, and attain the fruitful benefits to our economy, citizens and national development,” he said.

Prime Minister Phillips added that notwithstanding the vast potential the oil and gas industry possesses for Guyana’s growth, it brings with it additional environmental risks that must be taken seriously. “It cannot be ignored that this industry also presents new threats and risks for our nation which need to be effectively managed to ensure that our resources and ecosystems remain safe… This National Oil Spill Committee, therefore, has an immense task at hand, which is to oversee and coordinate the national efforts of ensuring that these negative impacts are avoided at all costs.” Additionally, the PM called for improved collaboration among stakeholders. “I urge you to consider the merits of collaborative execution and commence the vital process of establishing strategic partnerships with each other.”

Among the stakeholders present were representatives from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Ministry of Legal Affairs (MOLA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS).
Director-General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, said that the orientation was the first step in the process of operationalising the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan. He said that among the objectives of the meeting was the establishment of the committee’s work plan for 2021. The CDC Director said that throughout the year the CDC will be conducting several training sessions in addition to prepositioning and testing equipment already acquired.

“Notably, the Commission will be prepositioning very soon, three containers of equipment comprising oil containment booms, biological and chemical dispersants, and personal protective equipment to the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard to assist in the execution of its duties outlined in the Plan,” Craig said.
The Head of the CDC added that there was still need for capacity building, but some of the technical necessities to do so were not readily available locally, while some still need to be identified.
He said in that regard, the CDC has already initiated discussions with the US State Department and the US Coast Guard to assist with the conduct of a capacity needs assessment. The CDC also intends to seek further support from the International Maritime Organisation and the Regional Maritime Pollution Emergency, Information and Training Centre.