Ghana’s petroleum bill must be looked at again

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Petroleum bill Players in the oil and gas industry have proposed that the Petroleum Exploration and Management Bill that is currently before parliament should be made to provide clear guidelines for payment of compensation to communities adversely affected by activities of the oil and gas production.

Also, they are proposing a public disclosure of all monitoring reports on oil companies by the Petroleum Commission in order to improve transparency in the sector.

The players — which include the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Fisheries Commission, Associations of Fishermen and Fishmongers as well as other civil society organisations — said this at the oil and gas policy dialogue meeting organised by Friends of the Nation, a non-governmental organisation in Takoradi.

According to them, there is a need of adequate funding for oil regulatory institutions and training of fishermen in rescue operations to enable them provide a rapid response to their colleagues in times of danger at sea.

Mr. Solomon Kusi-Ampofo, the Project Officer of Friends of the Nation, noted that the proposal if implemented would significantly improve management and regulation of the oil and gas sector.

He pointed out that the country can benefit fully from its oil and gas resources if proper regulatory frameworks and policies are put in place — Government should therefore be meticulous in embarking on such critical ventures.

He said it will also help preserve the country’s marine resources and impact significantly on development of the fishing industry, and that living conditions of coastal dwellers will be improved.

By Juliet AGUIAR, Takoradi

?Take another look at Petroleum bill?

By Juliet AGUIAR, Takoradi

 Players in the oil and gas industry have proposed that the Petroleum Exploration and Management Bill that is currently before parliament should be made to provide clear guidelines for payment of compensation to communities adversely affected by activities of the oil and gas production.

Also, they are proposing a public disclosure of all monitoring reports on oil companies by the Petroleum Commission in order to improve transparency in the sector.

The players — which include the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Fisheries Commission, Associations of Fishermen and Fishmongers as well as other civil society organisations — said this at the oil and gas policy dialogue meeting organised by Friends of the Nation, a non-governmental organisation in Takoradi.

According to them, there is a need of adequate funding for oil regulatory institutions and training of fishermen in rescue operations to enable them provide a rapid response to their colleagues in times of danger at sea.

Mr. Solomon Kusi-Ampofo, the Project Officer of Friends of the Nation, noted that the proposal if implemented would significantly improve management and regulation of the oil and gas sector.

He pointed out that the country can benefit fully from its oil and gas resources if proper regulatory frameworks and policies are put in place — Government should therefore be meticulous in embarking on such critical ventures.

He said it will also help preserve the country’s marine resources and impact significantly on development of the fishing industry, and that living conditions of coastal dwellers will be improved.

FIN

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