Guyana will update its National Oil Spill Contingency Plan and expand multi-hazard early warning systems this year as the country strengthens its disaster preparedness framework to support the expanding oil, gas, and energy sectors.
According to Prime Minister Mark Phillips, the initiative focuses on managing risks linked to growing offshore oil production and rapid infrastructure expansion.
“This year, the [Civil Defence] Commission will implement the Oil Pollution Act and advance new disaster risk management legislation. The National Oil Spill Contingency Plan will be updated, and our multi-hazard early warning systems will be expanded through geographic information systems, satellite data, and information and communications technology,” the Prime Minister disclosed on June 16 during the 14th Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management Partnership Breakfast and Launch Event.
PM Phillips said the measures build on recent legislative and institutional developments designed to strengthen national preparedness.
He added that personnel from the Civil Defence Commission have also benefited from specialized training to complement these efforts.
“Our Parliament passed the Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Responsibility Act, giving Guyana a legal framework matched to the realities of an energy-producing economy. Officers of the Commission also received multi-sectoral training in disaster risk management, both at home and abroad. This work continues in 2026,” he said.
The Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Responsibility Act of 2025 establishes Guyana’s national framework for managing oil spill risks and liabilities. The legislation requires responsible parties to bear the full cost of environmental restoration and compensation for damages. It also designates the Civil Defence Commission as the national authority for coordinating spill response.
The law also mandates the establishment of a National Oil Spill Committee responsible for maintaining an Incident Command System, conducting regular response exercises and overseeing the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
“Taken together, these measures give Guyana a more complete legal and operational footing for the risks that accompany an expanding economy,” Phillips said.
