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The recently held ministerial caucus has earned the *overnment scathing criticisms, on two particular grounds. The first is that many critics are of the belief that a forum which speaks to the protection and proper management of *uyana¶s oil wealth should include as many stakeholders as possible.
The second point of contention was in relation to comments by world-renowned expert and 3rofessor of (conomics, Sir 3aul &ollier. Regardless of what flaws it may possess, Sir 3aul opined that it would be absolutely ³disastrous´ if *uyana were to tear up the (xxon0obil contract. +e said ³,f you tear this contract up, nobody else will come«´ The 3rofessor also stated that it would destroy *uyana¶s credibility while having deep implications for the investment climate. :hile consideration must be given to the 3rofessor¶s position, there are several locals who could not agree with &ollier¶s position.
&hartered Accountant and Attorney-at-/aw, &hristopher Ram told this newspaper yesterday that he does not share &ollier¶s view at all.
Ram said, ³, reMect the statement with regard to scrapping contracts. 1obody said anything about that and so it is a red herring. :hat we are saying is that the contract should be renegotiated and there is sufficient ground for this to happen.
At best, , would ask that the government takes the position from those individuals like &ollier as Must one set of views and not as some divine edict.´
Attorney-at-/aw, 0elinda -anki was also asked to give her take on &ollier¶s comments. She found it impossible to concur with the 3rofessor¶s statements.
The ,nternational lawyer said ³1o. :ith all due respect to 3aul &ollier, , think he has misunderstood the issue.
, am Tuite sure that he is not aware of the legal challenges to this deal or that there are various legal grounds for challenging this proposed oil production.´
She added ³, am certain 3aul &ollier would agree with me that it is essential for the *overnment of *uyana and the oil companies to respect the rule of law and to comply with all of *uyana¶s laws.´ -anki, who has worked as an in-house lawyer for %ritish 3etroleum %3 , insisted that all oil activities should be halted until it is clear that the government and the oil companies are fully complying with the law.
(Kaieteur News)