‘Friends of the Earth’ writes U.S Bank on Guyana’s Gas to Energy Loan application

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A civil society group, calling itself ‘Friends of the Earth,’ last June wrote to the United States (U.S) EXIM Bank, requesting information on Guyana’s Loan application AP089490XX and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This loan is for the Gas to Energy OffShore Pipeline Project, which as of today the status, per the Bank’s website, is pending. Guyana is seeking to borrow US$646 million.. The project is posted dated March 20, 2023. Check here for further information.

In a letter seen by the media, the group is requesting a copy of the MOU between the Government of Guyana and the Bank under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The group said a similar request was made of Dr. Ashni Singh, minister with responsibility for finance.

According to the letter, the civil society group is seeking further and better particulars in relation to documentation governing the loan application. A similar request was also made to the U.S Department of State.

The group is objecting to the loan based on current documentation in the public domain.

The letter to the Bank, signed by activists Elizabeth Deane Hughes, Danuta Radzik, among others, informs thus:-

“In addition to the request for the MOU between the GoG and US EXIM Bank please provide an update on the following:

Status quo of the current loan application AP089490XX?
Timeline for processing loan application AP089490XX?
When will the ESIA become available?
When will the Carbon Dioxide emission information become available?
Will Methane emission be required?

“Further please be informed – FYI as regards loan application AP089490XX that any of the following ongoing court cases in the GtE project, may wend its/their way to the final court of determination the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ):-

Right of way (RoW) case for gas pipeline. To date the RoW has not been secured.
Court case which challenges the Environmental Permit (EP) issued to EEPGL on behalf of the Stabroek Block Partners. The GoG and Stabroek Block Partners represented by EEPGL have been joined to the proceeding upon request. Govt. and Exxon unite again to fight citizens in another court case – Kaieteur News (kaieteurnewsonline.com)
Court case which challenges the waiver of an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) issued by Environmental Protection Agency subsequently upheld by Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) due to conflict of interest of members of the EAB as regards the gas to energy project.
Court action challenging hearing on impact survey for gas to power plant – Stabroek News
There are more court cases in the pipeline.”