Opposition Leader Responds to False Accusation by Oceana’s Vice President

The Leader of the Opposition is outraged at the comments made by the Vice President of Oceana in Belize, Audrey Matura-Shepherd at a forum held yesterday. Mrs. Shepherd’s stance and statements were openly and clearly politically motivated and it is disappointing that a reputable environmental organization, Oceana, could have been drawn into the political fray by its representation in Belize.

Mrs. Shepherd makes very serious allegations of impropriety and corruption at the very highest levels of the then administration, but does not at any time present any evidence to substantiate her allegation. It is regrettable that Ms. Shepherd’s careless and irresponsible statements will cast undeserved and unnecessary shadows on the careers of distinguished public officers like the late Evadne Wade, Mr. Andre Cho, Mr. Ismael Fabro and others.

The unadorned facts are that a contract for oil exploration was issued to AB Energy in 1998 by then Minister of Science and Technology Hon. Joseph Cayetano. In 2001 that company split into two entities, US Capital and Island Oil, for which individual Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) were signed in continuance of the original contract. In 2003, Island Oil was purchased by Steve Reiley, an American doing business in Guatemala. In 2004 a new PSA was signed with the owner.  In 2005, Island Oil applied for and was granted some additional acreage under the existing PSA.

All these facts could have been verified quite easily if there was a sincere interest in arriving at the truth. Instead, Ms. Shepherd’s assertions are grossly inaccurate and her bold accusation of treason in the awarding of this contract will have serious legal repercussions on herself and the organization she represents.

It would seem that Ms. Shepherd’s agenda would have the Government of Belize cease and desist from operations with all businesses and individuals with ties to or relations in Guatemala. In April 2010, a Partial Scope Agreement between Belize and Guatemala was ratified.

The Leader of the Opposition urges Ms. Shepherd to treat her role as Vice President of Oceana responsibly and to desist from making irresponsible statements. The issues facing us today, including the issue of offshore drilling or indeed any drilling in Belize must be addressed properly, with integrity and objectivity.  It is regrettable that on the occasion of World Oceans Day, the Vice President of Oceana in Belize could not have been less concerned with the state of our oceans, but instead spent her time engrossed in her own petty agenda.

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