Davis: Govt ‘Minded Not’ to Allow Oil Drilling

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Upon his return from the COP26 Climate Change World Leaders’ Conference in Scotland, Prime Minister Philip Davis was pressed today on his government’s position on oil drilling. He says upon leaving COP26, his government is minded not to support it.

Kyle Walkine reports.

It’s the first time Davis has stated his administration’s position on the controversial topic.

A year ago when Davis was Opposition leader, he said if the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) were elected to office, he would support environmentally-friendly oil drilling. Fast forward to a month and a half into this term in office, Davis now answering the question many have been asking – does his administration support oil drilling in Bahamian waters?

The question was put to State Minister for the Environment Basil McIntosh while at COP26. However, he did not give the government’s position.

Challenger Energy Group, formerly Bahamas Petroleum Company, said last month it was still negotiating to extend its leases in The Bahamas for another three years.

Davis, an attorney, said last December he represented BPC as it was attempting to secure licenses under the first Christie Administration, which it eventually secured. He was not in Cabinet at that time.

Davis was asked about that today.

He says it’s something the world is moving toward and we will see it happen perhaps two or three decades from now.

While he gave that statement on oil drilling in Bahamian waters, Davis says the administration is also looking at carbon credits.