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Environmental activists yesterday accused the Government of jumping the gun after it filed legal papers opposing their bid to halt oil exploration in Bahamian waters.
Rashema Ingraham, executive director of Waterkeeper Bahamas, told Tribune Business it goes against normal legal process for Judicial Reviews for the Attorney General s Office to file a notice of objection prior to Justice Hanna-Weekes determining whether the activists case should proceed.
The Supreme Court is due to make that decision at 11am today, but in its December 22, 2020, notice , the Attorney General s Office revealed its intention to seek judicial permission to oppose the Judicial Review challenge on three counts.
Drilling begins Stena Drilling’s Stena IceMAX drillship.
Exploratory oil drilling has commenced in Bahamian waters, according to Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) Chief Executive Officer Simon Potter, who announced in a statement that the Perseverance #1 well was spud on Sunday, December 20.
“We are very pleased to announce that the drilling of the exploratory well, Perseverance #1 has commenced – the well has been spud,” Potter said.
“This is a momentous milestone for both BPC and The Bahamas and represents the culmination of more than 10 years’ work by a team who have remained steadfast in their belief in this project throughout. That it is finally taking place is a testament to the application, skill and professionalism of many people over those years. The well will be drilled to the highest environmental and safety standards over the next 45-60 days.
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Social services minister says “maybe” to drilling on land
NASSAU, BAHAMAS Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell said yesterday that while he does not support oil drilling in Bahamian waters, he would support oil drilling on land.
Campbell was responding to questions from reporters outside Parliament when asked about his position on oil drilling in the country.
Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) is using Stena Drilling’s drillship Stena IceMAX to spud its first well Preservation #1 some 90 miles west of Andros. The ship entered Bahamian waters earlier this week.
Campbell noted that the amendments to the fisheries regulations show the government’s commitment to its natural resources.
Campbell and Henfield against oil drilling in Bahamian waters
Two more members of the Minnis Cabinet yesterday voiced their opposition to oil drilling in Bahamian waters.
Minister of Social Services Frankie Campbell said he does not support oil drilling in Bahamian waters but would support drilling on land.
While speaking to reporters outside the House of Assembly, Campbell said, “I believe that the bill that we are debating now speaks to our commitment to our fishing resources in and throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and so, I’m personally concerned about anything that is likely to or has the possibility to have an adverse effect on that.