APAMO says PM incorrect about drilling in Sarstoon Temash National Park
The anti-drilling movement in national parks is picking up steam. On Wednesday, the Coalition to Save Our National Heritage issued a release in support of Greg Ch’oc and SATIIM, which manages the Sarstoon Temash National Park. Initially Ch’oc reacted against statements made by the prime minister in which the PM indicated that drilling in the park would be allowed since a court case had been completed. The case, however, dealt with one aspect on seismic testing but did not include drilling. Continuous support for SATIIM was also heralded today by the Association of Protected Areas Management Organization. Edilberto Romero, APAMO’s Chairman, believes that the PM’s statement was inaccurate.
Edilberto Romero, Chairman, APAMO
Edilberto Romero
“The statement given by the PM kind of indicated that the Court has given a green light so to speak to do drilling in Sarstoon Temash National Park. We all know that the case was for seismic survey only. Drilling is a different phase in oil exploration and drilling should be done according to the laws and it is important that the national resources be protected. So in the first instance, even if is permitted there needs to be an environmental impact assessment. It is being said that drilling is going to be permitted, then by all means it will compromise the environmental impact assessment because it is automatically saying that if an E.I.A. is done, it will be approved. So it is a very inaccurate statement and to a certain extent, APAMO believes it is irresponsible because every development activity that has the potential to create a significant impact should first go through the process, should follow the laws before it is done, before it is permitted. 
And second, we are talking about a National Park that is created for the purpose of what a National Park is. And this means that the features, the characteristics and the natural resources in there should be considered. So that is the reason why APAMO is fully supportive of SATIIM’s reaction, Greg Ch’oc’s reaction against the statements of the Prime Minister and that the government and the Prime Minister should be serious about the management of Protected Areas.”
APAMO and SATIIM say they will do everything that is legally possible to challenge or stop the development without an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Pm think he is above the law.he don’t care about the people living in that area.Notice how much money he pay is wife to stop the Maya people from getting the land.now we can see why.He alread collect for the land, My people make that park a Hostile Area for anyone who goes there.
Both APAAMO and SATIM need to get somebody onboard who actually knows what they are talking about. A No NO Nympho stance will not gain any traction whatsoever.
good, don’t let this bald head pm good for nothing do what he wants for the greed of money since we belizeans never benefit from no oil production at all.
The fact of the matter is that the belize government(pup or udp)have tasted the sweet smell of oil($$$$$$$$$)and thry want more,belize is suffering from cancer,and that cancer is the pup and udp,we have to eradicate that cancer.revolution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are wasting your breath – It’s a done deal, so say goodbye to the best parts of the Jewel, and say hello to Black Gold, as it passes by you, on the way out of Belize.
KEEP THE PRESSURE ON……………….
Isn’t that why they call it a PROTECTED AREA??????????????????????????
WE WILL NOT GIVE UP WITHOUT A FIGHT!!!