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Lack of clarity on Hebron talks troubling says Opposition April 10,2007 |
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Yvonne Jones, MHA for the District of
Cartwright-L=Anse Au Clair and Liberal Opposition Critic for
Natural Resources says the future of the Hebron development is even more
doubtful given the conflicting messages publicly put forward by both
Premier Williams and oil industry executives over reopening the year-long
stalled talks to develop the mega project. Last week the premier stated in the media that
discussions were taking place Aall the time@ with the consortium of oil companies. Over the
weekend, in a Telegram article, one of the partners in the Hebron deal
denied that such discussion were taking place with the province. The Hebron
project was disbanded by Chevron shortly after negotiations broke off last
year. AI
find it quite disturbing that the two sides in this important project could
be providing two opposing messages about whether they are talking or not,@
says Jones. AThe conflicting messages are worrisome in
themselves, but it really reflects the lack of communication that is taking
place with respect to advancing this large project. It certainly leaves the
impression that all is not well and that this project is indeed off the
list of priorities by the oil consortium and will not be ranked on their
to-do list any time soon. The Liberal MHA points out that not only have
the oil investors left town, the oil industry and its suppliers have slowed
down considerably and have lost confidence of any renewal. The whole
province seems to be growing more and more disillusioned and this is
reflected in the increasing out-migration of people and their questioning
of the premier=s effectiveness. AUnder
the premier=s antagonistic leadership, our province has
become a battleground, rather than a place where progress is taking place.
We have gained nothing under this government and to use the premier=s
own words, I think we have been shafted by his over- the- top and
combative approach. No one fears a strong stand on issues of importance to
our province, but negativity, attacks and failure to negotiate simply stand
in the way of progress and transformation. The Hebron project certainly
could have been pulled off under a wiser, calmer and a more skilled leader.@ |
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