Barrow refuses to bow to electorate

Despite the fact that close to 8,000 residents have attached their signatures to a petition calling for the banning of offshore oil exploration in Belize, Prime Minister Dean Barrow has refused to budge on the matter.T he move was initiated by the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage, a non-partisan group whose main objective is self-explanatory. The group wants that drilling of any kind for petroleum products offshore and in protected areas be ceased and prohibited. The entire area where this is thought to occupy represents roughly a little more than 35% of the country.

While the group has been well-received in its efforts Barrow, however, has turned a deaf ear to the cry of the Belizean people, and up to last week had been taking lightly the signatures of the thousands who have expressed their objection to offshore drilling.

But organisers of the Coalition are undeterred in its fight to get GOB’s attention and over the next few months, it hopes to more than double that figure before it presents the petition to the Government.

Sternly against the drilling as well and very vocal about their stance on it is Oceana, the newest non-government environmental agency which places emphasis on the marine eco-system. Vice President of Oceana, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, says they plan to sue the Government over a number of offshore concessions.

Caught up more in the politics of the day, Barrow preferred to place more emphasis on questioning the validity of the signatories. He did commit to quote, “weigh very carefully the options and take into account the views of the Coalition and the views of the general public”, unquote.

He was quick to add, however, that he cannot say that there will be no moratorium on offshore drilling. He said, though, that the decision will be taken not long before the country’s next General Elections, which are not due until 2013.

Perhaps he will wait in the hope that he will be acquiesce to the people’s demand as an election campaign plum, in the slim hope of winning at the polls.

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