SATIIM says court ruling prohibits planned oil exploration
On last night’s newscast we reported on a donation of computers by petroleum contractors in Toledo and the imminent commencement of seismic testing by U.S. Capital Energy in the Sarstoon Temash National Park. Not surprisingly, that news did not sit well with the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management, a group which has been in the forefront of opposition to the oil company’s activities. Today SATIIM’s Executive Director, Greg Ch’oc, told News Five’s Stewart Krohn that according to the recent landmark ruling by the Supreme Court, the exploration cannot proceed without the explicit approval of local residents.
Greg Ch’oc, Executive Director, SATIIM
“Certainly it’s no news that they will proceed in light of the new development with respect to the Supreme Court land right judgement. I believe that they, like us, know that the issuance of the concession by government without the consent or subsequent approval of the communities is now void and illegal. That is our position at this point.”
Stewart Krohn
“What do you intend to do, if anything, to stop U.S. Capital Energy from commencing the seismic work?”
Greg Ch’oc
“Well certain the case for Conejo is precedent setting and we have been engaging the community in discussion and there is—I think all of them want to follow suit like Conejo and I believe that any furtherance of any action by U.S. Capital Energy or government would prejudice the communities who could claim communal ownership of the land that they currently occupy. Therefore, I think that we stand, if U.S. Capital Energy insists on going in, I believe that the community will be prepared to stand firm in their defence of their land.”
Stewart Krohn
“What kind of remedy is SATIIM or the residents of the individual villages, what are you seeking? Is it to totally stop oil exploration in the area or is it to simply cut a better deal for the residents?”
Greg Ch’oc
“I believe and we have always maintained that we are not against development, we want development but we want development that will benefit the community, not on a short term basis but on a long term basis. And I believe everyone is aware that oil development is a long term process and as such any short term handout to the community is a continuation of the perpetuation of injustice against the community and I believe the community have affirmed that they would like to cut a better deal and that they want a certain apportionment of the benefit deriving from oil that is extracted from the land.”
Stewart Krohn
“So is it necessary to renegotiate this whole deal now or can it wait while they do the seismic work?”
Greg Ch’oc
“I don’t think it can wait. I absolutely think it would prejudice the interest of the community. The production sharing agreement that has been signed has in fact, have no interest of the community accommodated in it and we cannot continue to make believe that at the various stages that somehow or the other a miracle will occur where U.S. Capital Energy and the government will say, oh, you know what, at this point we want to begin to look at how we can establish some mechanism that will allow the community to benefit and the production sharing agreement is what has established that and there is no way that we can go back if seismic testing and exploratory drilling is conducted. They are putting their foot in and if we allow them to go in all the way then it will be difficult for us to say, hey listen we are not getting a piece of the pie. I think it is imperative that the renegotiation occur at this point.”
Stewart Krohn
“What’s your next move?”
Greg Ch’oc
“Well, as I’ve always said to this country Stewart, we have all options available and we don’t close any options and I’ll leave it at that.”
Ch’oc expressed his belief that government’s recent actions indicate that it intends to simply ignore the ruling of Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh.
