By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

FOLLOWING government announcement that exploration wells will be sunk ahead of a referendum on oil drilling, former State Minister of Environment Phenton Neymour accused the government of “flip-flopping”.

Four months ago, Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett assured the public that no form of drilling would take place before the referendum; and last September, Prime Minister Perry Christie said: “We are continuing to talk to those people who are applicants, but as I have indicated before, oil drilling will only take place if the Bahamian people approve it through a referendum.”

 However, this past weekend Mr Dorsett said the government has determined that “we need to find out first, through exploration drilling, whether we do indeed have oil in commercially viable quantities.”

Yesterday, Mr Neymour suggested this change of plan was made in a bid to secure a passing referendum on oil drilling, in the wake of the resounding rejection in January’s gambling referendum.

“The PLP is again demonstrating that they are totally confused when it comes to governance,” Mr Neymour said. “They are again flip-flopping with issues that are important for the future of the Bahamas; and they are flip-flopping on promises that they made to the Bahamian people.

“They had promised a referendum on oil drilling – they have aborted that. Clearly, they feel they are not going to be successful.”

It appears the government is “putting the cart before the horse” in allowing exploratory drilling, Mr Neymour said, explaining there are issues that need to be addressed, first.

Legal framework and regulations need to be in place to address a potential success in discovering oil, he said, and the country needs “relevant staff with the relevant qualifications” to oversee the regulatory and legal framework.

Time frames for the exploration exercise need to be implemented and how the drilling will affect neighbouring countries and its affect on the economy should also be studied, he continued. The affect on the environment must also be considered.

“We have to outline the environmental side of exploration. What happens if there is exploratory drilling? What happens if there is a leak?” Mr Neymour asked.

“We have challenges today retaining the oil releases from BEC at Clifton Pier. So imagine when they begin to drill in open waters – what if an accident happens? What do we do to protect the environment in that regard?

“We have to look at the health aspect, also, of those involved in the exploration – and also of our marine life. How are we going to address this? How are we going to address the relevant technologies and equipment being proposed? Are we going to use seismic technology? How will that affect the marine life, moving forward? These are key issues.”

The former state minister also questioned – if the country is successful in finding oil – how the government will use those resources obtained, in the interest of the Bahamian people.

“What is also important is that we must remember that the interest of those seeking a license to explore for oil, is not the same as that of the Bahamian government and people,” Mr Neymour said. “And nor are they aligned. So the question is, are we going to marry those interests?”

Noting his earlier comment that the government “clearly” feels the planned referendum on oil drilling will not be successful, when The Tribune asked Mr Neymour what he believes to be the motive behind the exploratory drilling decision ahead of the referendum, he said: “They were in shock after the last referendum and they have not fully recovered and they fear the same result.

“Because it appears to me – I could be wrong – but it appears to me that they made some promises that they feel that they have to deliver on. Unfortunately those promises they made to the Bahamian people, they are not delivering on.”

In explaining the government’s new stance, Mr Dorsett said if there is no oil – “then obviously it would be completely pointless, and a shameful waste of public finds, to have a referendum on the matter.”