Guyana taking preparatory measures ahead of “first oil” – Oil Spill Response Training most recent activity

April 28, 2018

DPI, GUYANA, Saturday, April 28, 2018

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said Guyanese can be assured, that preparatory measures are being put in place to ensure that the local shorelines will be protected against the “unlikely” event of an oil spill.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, ExxonMobil’s Country Manager, Rod Henson and other representatives of agencies and ExxonMobil pose for a group photograph.

Minister Harmon addressing an Oil Spill Response exhibition at the Splashmin’s Resort today highlighted the importance of being proactive.

He said that companies operating offshore would have to satisfy the government that preparatory measures are always in place.

“The fact that we are prepositioning equipment, we are training people and we are putting them in various parts of the country speaks of our ability to plan for these events,” he said.

Second Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge said his Ministry plays a critical role in portraying “product Guyana” to international investors in a positive way.

“That product Guyana is a location that takes seriously the responsibility that goes with activities in major areas,” Minister Greenidge explained.

Safety, public awareness and capacity building, he noted are some of the responsibilities that come with oil and gas exploration, hence Oil Spill Response exercises are demonstrative of Guyana’s commitment to its obligations in the emerging sector.

The exhibition was the culmination of a three-day Oil Spill Response Training Workshop. The exercise was a collaborative effort among the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and ExxonMobil and saw the participation of over 35 representatives from government and private agencies.

At the end of the workshop, the participants who were drawn from agencies such as the Guyana Energy Agency, Guyana Marine Conservation Society, Guyana People’s Militia and the Guyana Defence Force received certificates of participation.

ExxonMobil’s Country Manager, Rod Henson, Director General (ag), CDC, Lt. Col. Kester Craig and Preparedness and Response Manager, CDC, Major Sean Welcome were also in attendance.