P.M. says oil exploration contracts are legitimate
As we told you on Wednesday night, the one dollar tax on fuel imposed in March 2009 by the government is not about to be removed any time soon even though the prices of premium and regular gasoline at the pumps are well over ten dollars. Not far from the issue of fuel prices is that of oil exploration. Last year, offshore drilling moved up to the front burner among non-government organizations and environmental groups. That’s because it came to light that numerous licenses had been issued for oil drilling dangerously close to the barrier reef, a World Heritage site. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister was asked about government’s position in respect of the licenses and according to the PM, he won’t walk away from the contracts.
Dean Barrow
“I’m telling you my position in terms of offshore drilling remains the same, and that is that there is no position currently. We’re looking at all that you people say, all that the advocates against offshore drilling. We are looking at what is being given to us by our own experts and at the appropriate time a decision will have to be made. I am telling you that we’re not going to lightly ignore written contracts. This is not a Michael Ashcroft type scenario. These are legitimate contracts, not outlaw agreements and we simply can’t walk away from contracts. If Oceana and you people might be ablet o find the monies that will be able to pay off the concessionaires, then you might have an even more compelling case, but we make no formal, no final decision immediately because we don’t have to. Nobody is close enough to being able to drill offshore for us to be forced to making a decision. When that time comes, hopefully we will have collected all the information and would have put ourselves in a position to make a proper informed decision. In terms of the national parks, we are hopeful that the U.S. Capital Energy people in the south will be able to proceed. Everything is coming up roses in terms of seismic that has been shot. And I’m telling you, since that matter has already went to court, if they say they are ready to drill they will be allowed to drill. That matter I was involved in the issue when it went before Mister Justice Awich and that’s been cleared and so I believe that’s also part of your breech. But while I can’t give you a definitive position on offshore, I am giving you a definitive position on that one. Drilling will be permitted.”
Jules Vasquez
“UNESCO be damned.”
Dean Barrow
dean barrow
“I would never say UNESCO be damned. I would say UNESCO notwithstanding.”
Geovanni Brackett, Plus TV
“Andre Cho admitted that there were concessions that he believed should have never been given. Take for example the Princess Petroleum have no background, have no sort of backing in sort of oil exploration to be gambling offshore…”
Dean Barrow
“Which should have never have been given as a matter of judgment. They were given no doubt by the last administration and they were not illegal. That is the problem. You cannot simply turn your back on legitimate commercial agreements under which people have already made investments.”
Should not certain restricted areas have been noted in these contracts before they were signed or do these contracts allow the exploration companies to drill any where offshore they darn feel like drilling?
Listen to what the man said, nothing but double talking. We can’t walk away from ligitimate contract already signed because of the consequences invole to do so. But yet he will look at all the information presented before making a decision to give the go ahead to drill. WHAT THE BIG OUIL COMPANIES WANTS, THE BIG OIL COMPANIES GETS; FOLKS. Live with it. Anything elce on the matter?
Last week, in one of the southern US states, more than 1,000 birds fell from the sky & fishes washed up on shore & floated to the surface of a river, all within a small geographic area & no one knows why. Whatever income the drilling licenses generate will be worthless to us if it kills our marine life & renders our land; barren & water, undrinkable. Of course it won’t matter to the people who made the deals, they have enough money to live somewhere else.
this gov still robbing from the poor to feed the rich wake up belizeans .
wow why is the Pm always backing the Big Company and don’t stand up for his people and country.you can stop any contract you want .or take them away like you did with BTL.You are so powerfull.Now it show that you are all about money.and screw the voters.Your day will come that the money you sold out your people will not be good for you.Please check which law form work for the company.Belizean it is time ACTION SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.The fisherman now have to pay attention.the GOB SOLD ALL THE LAND NOW THEY ARE MOVING INTO THE OCEAN.
The current government stood up against other contract(s) the last guys signed and even ignored one which is now costing tax payers way too much.
The real problem is that these contracts should have never been issued and this is where the problem lies: poor judgement. For them to have been issued to shell companies with no drilling experience is even worse! I hope that even so there will be statutes in place to allow only those with the propper experience and equipment to drill. They should be made to submit a statement of qualification and those reviewing it should have the necessary training and be allowed to verify their eqipment and their experience before they are allowed to set up the first well rig.
So no you do not have to stop them from drilling but you can place enough regultions in place to streamline their opperation to make it as safe as possible. We should also employ consultants who will have oversight by consultants that forces them to operate safely. Remember the last mess here in the US and they have all the ncessary equipment and experience and this stil happened.
Dean barrow dont back away from those sign contracts because his law firms,and his brothers law firms are involved in signing such contracts,so he dont want to loose money.very simple.
I really don’t know Mr Barrow.However you’re statement sound conflicting.
pm full a !@#$ need to get voted out cux he leadine the country do destruction an he an his minister just getting payed worst party ever voted in belize he dont even like channel 5 cux u all speak the truth keep it up good job channel 5!!!
forget the pending contracts. Belizeans want to know why they are not benefiting more from the oil that’s presently being exracted.
This is what you all should be running off your mouth on and giving the PM an earfull. Talk bout the oil money. Use it to ease the poverty and suffering of the less fortunate. What are the big words? Poverty alleviation?
SELLING OUR SOUL FOR A FEW DOLLARS………….
BUILD A REFINERY……. GIVE US CHEAP GAS……….AND MAYBE………JUST MAYBE IT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE.
THEN WHAT HAPPENS WITH…. ONE MAJOR OIL SPILL …………………………..