Glenn Lall’s claims of oil industry disasters in Guyana faced a rebuttal from the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Ministry presented evidence of growth in the fishing and cattle sectors, denied negative impacts on infrastructure, and emphasized transparency regarding oil revenue usage. It countered various environmental and health impact claims, asserting that Lall’s statements were largely unfounded.
The recent commentary by Glenn Lall, a local newspaper publisher, suggested that disasters in Guyana’s oil industry are unfolding. In response, the Ministry of Natural Resources provided a comprehensive rebuttal to his claims. Lall criticized the fishing industry’s decline, asserting that oil production has severely impacted it. However, the Ministry stated that the sector actually grew by 1% in 2024, with a projected increase of 5.8% for 2025, noting improvements specifically in shrimp and aquaculture production.
Furthermore, Lall alleged that the oil industry was harming the cattle farming sector. Contrarily, the Ministry reported a notable rise of 24.6% in the cattle industry in 2024, with expectations of a 7.5% growth in the following year. The Ministry highlighted growth across various livestock categories due to factors such as improved poultry health driven by vaccinations.
In addressing concerns about infrastructure development, the Ministry refuted Lall’s assertion that oil operations burden the roads and bridges sector. It affirmed that revenues from oil are indeed being invested in critical infrastructure projects, despite some contractors producing substandard work. The government is committed to ensuring robust infrastructure to accommodate economic growth, including from the oil and gas sector.
The Ministry defended its transparency regarding budget allocation, stating that every dollar of oil revenue is accounted for within the National Budget, which is debated and approved by Parliament. Any claims of undisclosed oil revenue usage were deemed misrepresentations, as all budget forecasts and expenditures are made accessible to the public.
Additionally, Lall’s assertion that the Gas-to-Energy project represents a debt trap was countered. The Ministry emphasized that the financing of the project is publicly available and the ongoing vendor arbitration is standard procedure, with both parties committed to project completion.
Lall also raised concerns about environmental and health impacts, claiming that residents are suffering from heat due to offshore gas flares. The Ministry countered that such claims lack scientific backing and emphasized that seasonal temperature variations occur due to global weather phenomena. It clarified that disaster assessments are part of ExxonMobil’s Environmental Impact Assessments, with minimal tsunami risk for Guyana.
Finally, Lall’s claim that Guyana lost US$20 billion from not enacting ring-fencing in oil projects was dismissed by the Ministry as baseless and without evidence. Claims asserting derogatory comments from Brazilian officials regarding Guyana’s oil contracts were also firmly denied.
In summary, the Ministry of Natural Resources rebuffed various claims made by Glenn Lall regarding the oil industry’s negative impacts in Guyana. It provided data indicating growth in critical sectors such as fishing and cattle farming, and emphasized the role of oil revenues in funding infrastructure. Additionally, the Ministry asserted its commitment to transparency in the usage of oil funds and refuted allegations concerning the Gas-to-Energy project and environmental concerns. Ultimately, the Ministry portrayed Lall’s assertions as misrepresentations without credible evidence.
Original Source: nycaribnews.com
