Two local lawyers, Anslem Clouden and Dr. Francis Alexis
have called for the immediate establishment by government of an Oil and Gas Commission to manage Grenada's natural resources.

Clouden is a specialist on maritime law while Dr. Alexis who heads the People's Labour Movement (PLM) is a leading constitutional expert. The lawyers held a press conference and suggested the setting up of the commission that can also be charged with the responsibility of considering applications on for licenses to explore and exploit those resources in Grenadian waters.

The calls were made against the backdrop of problems between neighbouring Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago on maritime boundaries in light of natural gas in the disputed territories.

Dr. Alexis said that the commission should be set up as soon as possible with membership coming from both Government and opposition parties, trade unions and other organisations. He alluded to reports circulating in the country of the Keith Mitchell-led government signing agreements with foreign companies to explore for natural oil and gas in Grenada's territorial waters.

He warned the administration to be extremely careful in the manner in which it approaches the matter given the current volatile situation exist between Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados with respect to their ongoing fishing dispute.

"If Grenada is serious about exploring these natural resources then the establishment of a commission will be (the) proper thing to do in ensuring that our country and its resources do not fall into the wrong hands", he said.

"We must no forget what took place with our offshore sector and as such I will strongly suggest that our local experts like Mr. Clouden and others who (are) well equipped with the knowledge and skills in handling such matters (be brought in to help", he added. Dr. Alexis suggested to the Mitchell government that "there can be no excuse for not relying on our local experts" in charting the way forward.

Clouden who has been contracted and consulted by several international organisations on maritime issues repeated his call to the ruling New National Party (NNP) government to disclose the country's position on the issue. The outspoken attorney-at-law expressed disappointment with the continued silence on the part of the Grenada Government and its failure to inform the nation on what decisions they are prepared to take on Grenada's maritime boundaries.

Clouden said that in light of the growing tension between Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados and the possibility of natural resources such as oil, gas and other minerals being found in Grenadian waters, government should be advising Grenadians without delay.

"We must be careful on the stand we take in dealing with this matter. Any bilateral agreement reached between these countries (Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago) would impact significantly on us, its marine resources", he remarked.

Clouden who had a stint with the British Virgin Island Department of Costal Zone Management (CZM) commented on moves being made by Barbados to fish in disputed waters with the oil-rich repubic of Trinidad and Tobago.

He said that if Barbados is given permission to fish in these waters based on the reason being advanced by Bridgetown that its fishermen have been doing so for over forty years it is possible that the Bajans can also tap into Grenada's fishing zone.

"...Our fishermen will be at a disadvantage if this happens and we as a country will have to ensure that these large fishing vessels (that) are known to carry drag nets are capable of scraping the ocean floor and we too can suffer in the long run.

"...We will have to conduct regular patrols of and on our waters and from time to time ensure that these fishermen do not fish or attempt to carry out such exercise in our territorial waters.

"... It is no secret that pelagic species and other species straddle our zone and our fishermen from Grenville and Gouyave will tell you that zone is known for the best species of fish, therefore there is a need for us to be on our guard.

"Grenada must arm itself with the necessary agreements, scientific records of our natural resources, and other basic elements...... in an effort to avoid over exploitation of our resources or else without such measures in place then it's a matter of time before we see the extinction of these resources and species".

Clouden suggested that Grenada needs to stay one step ahead of both Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados and put the necessary structures in place to protect its maritime resources before it is too late.