Activists must pay $200k in security of costs in BPC case
A Supreme Court judge yesterday ruled that activists seeking a judicial review into the government’s decision to approve exploratory oil drilling in The Bahamas by Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) must pay security of costs in the sum of $200,000 within 30 days.
“I order that the applicants pay security of costs in the sum of $200,000 for BPC,” Justice Petra Hanna-Adderley ruled.
“Such security to be provided by cash, bond, or a letter of credit from a commercially licensed bank within The Bahamas within 30 days and not the 14 days as requested by BPC.
The Bahamas Petroleum Company logo.
NASSAU, BAHAMAS While the Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) oil exploration activities in The Bahamas may have ended for now, attorneys were back in court yesterday arguing over an application by the oil exploration company seeking security for costs in the sum of $200,000 in ongoing judicial review proceedings.
Clare Montgomery, QC, who argued on behalf of BPC, yesterday argued there was no evidence to show that Waterkeeper Bahamas Ltd and the Coalition to Save Clifton Bay have any assets in order to meet any future order for costs by the court.
Last month, Supreme Court Justice Petra Hanna-Adderley ruled that BPC and Bahamas Offshore Petroleum Company may be added as a party in the judicial review, accepting the position that they would be directly impacted by the legal proceedings.
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The Bahamas Petroleum Company logo.
NASSAU, BAHAMAS Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) has made an application to the Supreme Court seeking security for costs in the sum of $200,000 in light of the legal action launch by local environmental groups Waterkeepers Bahamas Limited and the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay.
Last month, Supreme Court Justice Petra Hanna Adderley ruled that BPC and Bahamas Offshore Petroleum Company may be added as a party in the judicial review, accepting the position that they would be directly impacted by the legal proceedings.
Waterkeeper Bahamas Ltd. and the Coalition to Save Clifton Bay are seeking a judicial review of the government’s decision to approve exploratory oil drilling in The Bahamas.
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A shareholder in Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) yesterday expressed concern over the pushback to oil drilling in Bahamian waters calling current court proceedings “misconceived” and saying the case could discourage potential foreign investors from considering The Bahamas.
Tudor Lomas, a citizen of the UK, currently residing in Amsterdam, said after following court proceedings and the arguments presented by environmentalists, he’s worried that if oil is indeed found in Bahamian waters, Bahamians would push against it, “missing out on a golden opportunity”.
“Reputable international business comes to countries that respect the rule of law,” he said.