Well, opponents of those surveys say the facts are clear enough and they are celebrating tonight that people pressure pushed the seismic testing vessel out of Belizean waters. But while the MV Northern Explorer has left Belizean waters, there is still more work to be done for the environmental community. The Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage has urged the government to hold a national referendum and allow the Belizean people to decide whether they want offshore oil exploration or not. The PUP today sent out a statement demanding the same thing, and Senator Valerie Woods explained the Opposition's position.
Valerie Woods - PUP Senator
"I think it's very clear based on the release. Back in 2015 the government of Belize did issue a ban or a moratorium if you will on offshore drilling particularly as it relates to the barrier reef system, and in areas that was not specific to that system but was near that system. It was very clear in the government press release back in 2015 that there should be stringent environmental studies for obvious reasons. It is a critical natural resource, and let's not forget that the world heritage site was also in danger of being put off that list. And so the PUP considering the feedback that it has gotten from the Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage and of course on the outcry expressed from the community of San Pedro, fairly believes that the seismic survey and multibeam surveys that were already contracted by government and was about to get on the way, some indications are already started. That it not only needs to be suspended, but it should be banned and all activities related to offshore drilling should be banned so that the people of Belize can have proper ventilation on the issue, and that we feel should be done through a referendum."
Hippolito Bautista
"In terms of the environmental studies one of the things that most of the environmental community were asking for the EIA. The CEO, Mr. Alegria, he explained-attempted to explain that in this case an EIA was not necessary."
Valerie Woods - PUP Senator
"So, we obviously take issue with that feedback from Mr. Alegria and common sense dictates quite frankly that if you're going to deal with the marine resources, particularly anything relating to our Belize barrier reef, the second largest in the world, the World Heritage Site in this country, that area that feeds so many people of this country that so many industries depend on, and based on an activity that let's not forget had a people's referendum because the government rejected the call for referendum on that national issue, and the results of that people's referendum states, or clearly showed, that the majority does not want offshore drilling. So we feel that the responsible approach should be just have an official national referendum and let the people of Belize decide if they want offshore drilling and exploration or not."
Now the ball is in the government's court. The moratorium on offshore oil exploration is supposed to be on the agenda for Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. The last time the government resisted holding an official referendum, OCEANA held an unofficial one and 96% of the almost 30,000 people who showed up voted against offshore drilling.
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