We want value for our gas and oil

THE EDITOR: Fishermen and Friends of the Sea has noted the abundance of “small change” PR activities about the “good deeds” being performed by the foreign energy sector; a few scholarships, passing a few cheques, painting an orphanage and a relief programme for needy families. While charity is appreciated, what nationals want is to be paid fair value for “our” natural resources in line with the royalty ratios paid elsewhere. These green-washed charitable deeds benefit only a few individuals while millionaire CEO’s smile for the camera. We are concerned that Trinidad will soon run out of gas and while in the midst of a “gas boom” 35 percent of all citizens are below the Global Poverty Index.

There are critical issues that these corporations must address such as the ominously secret and questionable closed-door royalty negotiations for gas and oil, or the absurd fact that a hundred years after, our oil nation still does not have an Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedure and now we are “playing with gas.” The energy sector exports our children’s patrimony and gives us 1/600th of the gas value that they receive. They have not been financially or environmentally responsible in our corrupt third world economy which lacks transparency and accountability and has been plagued by generations of corrupt ministers. These PR campaigns by the hypocritical energy sector is commonplace when they have something to hide and to those of us who know of their global reputation it is an insult not only to our intelligence, but to our sovereignty.

GARY ABOUD
Secretary
Fishermen and Friends of the Sea