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<p>” data-medium-file=”https://newsroom.gy/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Grace-Russell-300×169.png” data-large-file=”https://newsroom.gy/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Grace-Russell-1024×576.png” loading=”lazy” class=” wp-image-143505″ src=”https://newsroom.gy/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Grace-Russell-1024×576.png” alt=”” width=”723″ height=”407″ /><figcaption id=)
Grace Russell, an environmental consultant with Acorn International (Photo: News Room/ May 23, 2022)
At that meeting, when questioned by local engineer Alfred Bhulai, Russell reiterated that the consultancy was selected by the developer. The developer for the Uaru project is Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), ExxonMobil’s local affiliate.
For EEPGL’s previous projects – Liza 1, Liza 2, Payara and Yellowtail – the independent assessments were conducted by another consultancy, Environmental Resources Management (ERM).
This company has also conducted the EIA for the forthcoming gas-to-energy project.
Because this company has been used to study five projects, concerns were raised about potential biases and the independence of the ERM.
Nevertheless, Russell explained that Acorn International aims to conduct the prerequisite assessment to help stakeholders understand the impact development at Uaru might have on the environment, people and livelihoods.
Because Uaru is Exxon’s fifth project offshore Guyana, it was noted that the cumulative impact of the five projects will be studied in the new EIA.
The ongoing scoping meetings are being used to develop the Terms of Reference for that assessment. Simply put, the scope of the EIA will be crafted based on the concerns and questions raised or submitted by stakeholders.
