Norton lays out PNCR/APNU 20-point plan for management of oil and gas sector

The Opposition People’s National Congress Reform laid out a 20-point plan today for the oil and gas sector, which party officials say will be implemented should the party be elected to Government in 2025.

Opposition and PNC Reform Leader, Aubrey Norton, said that the main aim of his party’s plan is to rid the sector of corruption and ensure maximum benefits for Guyanese.

He said a PNCR/APNU Administration will constitute an Advisory Team of professionals with specialties including business, contracts, law, economics, auditing, engineering, geology, and renewable energy, to advise the Government on the upstream, midstream, and downstream planning, development and administration of Guyana’s Oil & Gas sector.

In addition, he said there will be a review of the existing draft of the Petroleum Commission Legislation and possible restructure as necessary to finalise the establishment of an independent/autonomous Petroleum Commission.

“We will eradicate corruption and unethical conduct by Government and contractor officials, we will institute an independent Inspector General’s (IG) Office with a 24/7 anonymous hotline to involve the public in reporting any knowledge or appearance of corruption. The IG Office will be adequately resourced and vested with the authority to conduct independent investigations and, where necessary, recommend prosecutions,” Norton promised

The Opposition Leader also promised to immediately reinstate the former Coalition Government’s requirements for full liability coverage, which includes the appropriate insurance, as well as, a parent company guarantee to cover the full cost of an oil spill; prohibition of gas flaring except in special cases of start-up, emergency and maintenance in compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); re-injection of the very hot, toxic and oil laced water, in accordance with international standards and the World Bank. oversight.

He also promised that there will be a review of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

“Every aspect will be involved in the review, so we will seek to review the entire PSA with the aim of ensuring that the Guyanese people benefit,” Norton said.

The Opposition Leader said that for full transparency of the sector, his party will institute a publication of information protocol ensuring that all information including, but not limited to contracts, agreements, contractor quarterly reports, new discoveries, updated reserves, and production data be made accessible to the public conveniently and timely, among other measures.