The Ministry of Natural Resources of Guyana responded to newspaper publisher Glenn Lall’s claims that the country’s oil industry is heading for disaster. The Ministry presented data indicating growth in the fishing, agricultural, and cattle sectors despite allegations of collapse. It emphasized the positive impacts of oil revenues on infrastructure without supporting evidence for Lall’s assertions. The Ministry refuted claims of environmental and financial crises, upholding the transparency of budgeting processes and project financing.
A recent report by Guyanese newspaper publisher Glenn Lall has suggested that the oil industry in Guyana is leading towards disaster, prompting a rebuttal from the Ministry of Natural Resources. Lall claimed that the fishing industry has collapsed due to oil production and that the country now imports fish to meet demand. The Ministry provided a detailed response, stating that the fishing sector saw growth of 1% in 2024, with key categories such as marine shrimp and aquaculture showing significant increases in production.
Contrary to Lall’s assertions about local food production, the Ministry highlighted that agricultural sectors experienced a rise of 10.9% in 2024 and expected an additional increase of 11.7% in 2025. Lall also suggested that the cattle industry had been devastated; however, the Ministry reported a substantial growth of 24.6% in 2024, with projections of 7.5% growth in 2025 across all livestock sectors. Improved poultry health primarily resulted from vaccinations and reduced mortality rates.
The Ministry refuted Lall’s claims regarding infrastructure degradation resulting from oil operations, stating that oil revenues are facilitating essential infrastructure projects. Some contractors have produced substandard work, but the government asserts that this is unrelated to the oil industry. It remains dedicated to maintaining and improving Guyana’s infrastructure to support economic growth, including demands from the oil and gas sector.
In defense against Lall’s statement regarding financial transparency, the Ministry explained that all oil revenue is accounted for within the National Budget, which is subject to parliamentary debate and public scrutiny. The Vice President clarified that while expenditures are not itemized by revenue source, all spending is transparently documented in the National Budget.
Lall alleged that the Gas-to-Energy project is a “debt trap” and that records are being concealed. The Ministry countered this by stating the project’s financing conditions are publicly accessible, and claims of secrecy surrounding the arbitration process with a contractor are unfounded.
Additionally, Lall’s claim about residents suffering from high temperatures due to gas flares was dismissed by the Ministry, which stated that such temperature variations are influenced more by seasonal climate changes than by offshore gas flares. The Ministry emphasized the importance of scientific backing for claims of environmental impact.
Regarding potential disaster risks, the Ministry clarified that disaster assessments related to tsunamis are a standard part of ExxonMobil’s Environmental Impact Assessments. They reassured that the likelihood of a tsunami striking Guyana is very low due to its geographical circumstances.
Lastly, Lall’s assertion that Guyana has lost vast sums of money due to a lack of ring-fencing for oil projects was labeled as fictitious by the Ministry. They explained that ring-fencing is an accounting method that does not prevent eventual tax revenues but merely defers them. Furthermore, claims made about derogatory remarks from Brazilian officials regarding Guyana’s oil agreements were also denied.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Natural Resources has provided a robust defense against allegations raised by newspaper publisher Glenn Lall, emphasizing the stability and growth of various sectors in Guyana despite the encroachment of the oil industry. The Ministry asserts that improvements in agriculture and livestock production, along with substantial investments in infrastructure funded by oil revenues, are indicative of a thriving economy. Moreover, any claims regarding environmental or financial disasters associated with oil production lack substantiated evidence and are firmly challenged by the government.
Original Source: nycaribnews.com
