August 27, 2015
Council in the dark over oil plans
Northland Regional Councillor Dover Samuels says tomorrow's hui with Statoil is about getting information about the Norwegian oil company's plans for exploring the Reinga Basin rather than striking any back door deals.
Opponents of the exploration are accusing the company of underhand tactics in trying to win support for the project.
Mr Samuels says the council's Te Tai Tokerau Maori Advisory committee invited the company to talk to hapu in the region because not enough information has been coming out.
He says government agencies also want to attend the hui, and they will be quizzed about what happens if oil or gas are found.
"If you have a look at the engagement we have had with government agencies, it has been very little regarding the jurisdiction of the regional council. We are in the dark. The exploratory permit is made by the Minister of Energy, Simon Bridges. That process is not a good one," he says.
Dover Samuels says the process of granting an exploration permit should come under the Resource Management Act.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH DOVER SAMUELS CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MzE4NjI=
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