“We have seen no reason to revisit ExxonMobil’s contract” – Minister Greenridge
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, March 22, 2018
Prime Minister (ag) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge said the Government of Guyana sees no reason to revisit the ExxonMobil contract.
Prime Minister (ag) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenridge.
Minister Greenidge was responding to questions from media operatives, regarding the numerous calls for the government to revisit the Exxon contract, at an event at the National Communications Network (NCN) today.
The minister said that at this point in time, “the government has noted the clamour, calls, and demands, depending on who it is coming from and how strong it is, and have noted them. We’ve taken into account the specifics and have seen no reason for revisiting the contact.”
Distinguished Diplomat, Sir Shridath Ramphal said that he was fortunate to participate in the high-level ministerial caucus on the oil and gas sector on Wednesday, March 21, when renowned Professor of Economics of Oxford University, Sir Paul Collier met with media operatives where the very question was raised. Sir Shridath said that Collier was very forthright in his answer.
The economist explained that it is a very ‘noble thing’ for the government to host international experts, having no brief from the oil companies, to give their views on issues such as the contract and the sovereign wealth fund.
At the ministerial caucus, Collier said, “It will be absolutely disastrous to attempt to undo what you have done, to put the ethics of the country on the line, and if Guyana is to tear up the contract, it would be the last contract they will have the opportunity to tear up.”
By: Synieka Thorne