The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Oil spills of huge proportions are causing major damage to the Bahamas’ fisheries and the environment.

In the midst of the massive protests and objections to drilling for oil in Bahamian waters by groups of Bahamians and residents and the objections from high profile sources in the United States, I wish to make a contribution of my experience living and working in an oil town in Trinidad. It was in the mid-forties, just after the second world war.

I had left elementary school in Cunupia Village and joined my mother in the small town of Point Fortin, in the heart of the oil industry. She was the housekeeper for the general manager of United British Oilfields (UBOT) the largest oil producer in the country. I was employed in the Material Accounts Office as an office boy/messenger and later filing clerk. Trinidad was still a British Colony. Point Fortin, with the largest oil refinery in the world and the centre of oil exploration in Trinidad, thrived and very soon became the third largest town in the country. Certainly the wealthiest. Unemployment and poverty did not exist in the oil belt of South Trinidad. Communities compared favorably or even better than many in the City of Port of Spain and San-Fernando, eighty and 30 miles to the north respectively.

People in north Trinidad regarded the southerners as being wealthy. Excursions by hundreds of southerners accompanying sports teams to the City encountered increased prices for retail services. The huge pipes with oil flowing from the wells to the refinery and the smell of oil in the air were a part of the environment.

South Trinidad produced many of the country’s top sportsmen and women. The sand in the water at Point Fortin beaches contained residue of crude oil, which covered your feet when you stood in the sand. Residents visiting the beaches took bottles containing kerosene or coconut oil to clean their feet after the beach visits. The oil residue in the sand was caused by leakage from pipes and drilling overflows. We learned to live with it.

To the so south of Ram of Point Fortin, a distance of about 10 miles is the village of Cedros, It is Trinidad’s major fishing area. Cedros could supply the entire country with its fish needs, undamaged by oil residue. A visit to Cedros when the fishing boats are arriving would disclose the massive size of the industry there, unaffected by the oil industry. Residents in the oil towns of south Trinidad have accepted the environment they have lived in for decades. The rewards from oil production have been massive; schools, health care, social services, sports and recreation and a good standard of living.

I have visited Trinidad annually for many years from the 1970s-carnival time. South Trinidad continues to boom. In addition to the oil industry, there are natural, gas exported to the world, new industries such as clothing manufacture, flour mills, stall steel mills and chemicals. Exports to Caribbean countries and parts of the world.

During my visits there I travel between Port of Spain/SanFernando and Tobago on the government’s ferry boats in the Gulf of Paria that separates Trinidad from Venezuela. Drilling for oil and natural gas is now also at sea. The rigs and wells can be seen. I have not seen any oil spills. Venezuela, a large oil producing country is just 7 miles across the Gulf of Paria from Cedros Village. Trinidad is now experiencing major problems with illegal immigrants from Venezuela. I am told, that it is likely Venezuelan oil will be refined in Trinidad very shortly as their refineries are closed.

Barbados, an island whose economy thrives on tourism is an oil-producer. Crude oil produced from wells in Barbados is shipped to refineries in Trinidad. The oil production there does not appear hazardous to their beaches and fisheries. Oil has been found in Guyana. I am told, that there are negotiations between Guyana and Trinidad for exploration and production. We have to be concerned about major oil spills and the ability of the investor to deal with them efficiently and effectively. We have to be concerned about the objections from our powerful neighbour and allie, the United States of America. They can force their objections, if we fail to negotiate and satisfy them, that the environment will be protected. The investor should be asked to guarantee such protection with a cash bond.

The benefits of a productive oil industry would benefit our country in many ways, eg lower fuel costs would reduce the cost of electricity and gasoline – fifty cents US at the pumps in Trinidad and it includes a vehicle license tax, and most importantly low fuel costs attract investors engaged in manufacturing, which would create employment. It would be beneficial if government could arrange visits to the oil towns in Trinidad for environmentalist groups and media representatives. They would be able to provide factual comments on their discoveries.

Visits to Point Fortin, Point-a-Pierre, Point Lisas, Labrea and other small oil towns and villages would be enlightening: They must also visit the oil wells in the Gulf of Paria.

PAUL THOMPSON, SR, ACP-Ret.

Nassau