The likelihood of an oil spill occurring in Guyana is considered low, but if one does occur, the response will be governed by a national command structure that assigns specific responsibilities to the government agencies involved.
The Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Responsibility Act 2025 assigns the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) a role as the country’s Competent National Authority and sets out who takes command, who coordinates at the scene of a spill and how other agencies contribute to the response.
The first point of contact
The CDC is responsible for coordinating the national response and mitigating the impact of an oil spill. It also receives spill notifications and disseminates information to relevant stakeholders.
Once a spill is reported, the CDC directs the response in accordance with the Act and the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
The CDC’s Director-General serves as the National Incident Commander.
The deputy role depends on where the spill occurs. For an offshore incident, the Director of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) becomes Deputy Incident Commander. For an onshore incident, that role goes to the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).
The National Incident Commander manages and coordinates the response and directs the use of response resources. The deputy is responsible for activating the relevant operations center and ensuring effective on-scene command.
Who responds at the scene of a spill?
The law separates overall national command from coordination at the site of the incident.
For an offshore spill, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard is the National Response Coordinator. For an onshore spill, that responsibility falls to the GEA.
This allows the CDC to maintain overall command while the designated response coordinator manages activities at the scene of a spill.
Guyana showcases oil spill readiness during drill at Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase | OilNOW
Where do other agencies fit?
The Act also establishes a National Oil Spill Committee within the CDC, bringing together agencies and other stakeholders involved in oil spill preparedness and response.
Its membership includes representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ministry of Natural Resources, GDF, MARAD, GEA, Guyana Hydrometeorological Service, Guyana Fire Service and Guyana Police Force, among others.
The CDC’s Director-General chairs the committee, while the EPA Director serves as vice-chairperson.
Key roles of the National Oil Spill Committee
- Review and recommend updates to the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
- Monitor oil spill responses and their effectiveness.
- Ensure facility contingency plans align with the national plan.
- Develop guidelines for oil spill removal.
- Oversee national response training and exercises.
- Help coordinate resources and support during a spill.
- Advise the Government and Competent National Authority on oil spill prevention and response.
- Support the development of oil spill policies, legislation and other measures.
- Monitor reported spills and assess their potential impact.
- Promote public awareness and community participation in oil spill preparedness and response.
- Help coordinate national and international support during a response.
