Attentive to the communities, one of the great challenges of the industry

Cooperation among all actors is key for the sector to take a step towards better relationships in the territory. Experts assure that it is necessary for business dynamics to be in tune with social dynamics.

The current moment the country is going through in terms of citizen participation and community involvement in hydrocarbon exploitation issues has opened a door that reflects the importance of dialogue among the different actors involved in the processes carried out by the oil industry, all with the aim of establishing a harmonious relationship in the areas of influence. This premise was one of the central discussions of the conversation ‘The extractive industry and its presence in the territories: socio-environmental impacts, perception, and reality’ in which experts from different fields participated, helping to understand the dynamics from various points of view. Among the protagonists of the conversation held within the framework of the I Oil and Gas Summit was Fabio Velásquez, Executive President of the National Forum for Colombia; Rodrigo Suárez, director of the National Authority of Environmental Licenses -Anla-; Sorrel Aroca, governor of Putumayo; Manuel Buitrago, President of Gran Tierra Energy; and Moisés Wasserman, university professor and researcher.

While it is true that the extractive industry brings multiple benefits to the regions through social responsibility programs and the distribution of royalties, environmental impacts are one of the concerns that are constantly reflected among the inhabitants. In this regard, the President of Gran Tierra Energy explained that it is necessary to build trust in the territory, which is established by generating sustainable development and benefits at the different stages of the project.

He also mentioned that the relationship with Putumayo, the region where some of its operations are located, is centered on constant, open, and transparent dialogue with the community and the authorities, where they are invited to see that there is no impact. «We are confident that if one weighs all the risks and all the benefits, if one looks historically at the scientific studies, the benefits are always greater than the risks,» added Buitrago.

For her part, Governor Aroca assured that from the department of Putumayo they are working to encourage productive projects parallel to the extractive ones, focusing on agro-industrial production. «There is a phrase that is said in my territory: ‘plant the oil so that the regions may flourish.’ This means that as oil grows, the departments also develop and that these companies should be allies and contributors to a development model that allows for a balanced presence of various industries, but that does not condemn the populations to imaginaries that do not correspond to realities because sometimes people fight for a position in these companies.».

Regarding the mechanisms that communities have to participate in decisions that affect or concern the regions in mining and crude extraction matters, researcher Wasserman stated that what is being sought with popular consultations is extremely misguided because «when a procedure like this is used, one risks generating conflicts since expectations are created that cannot be fulfilled.».

Thus, this expert considers that the popular consultation is an inadequate and naive instrument to decide on extractive activity in municipalities and departments, which will generate conflict due to the dissatisfaction of people who mostly oppose the establishment of such companies in the municipalities. But the big question that lingered during the development of the day was about the possibility of maintaining harmonious dialogue among the different actors, despite the differences and interests. On this point, the Executive President of the National Forum for Colombia assured that this is necessary and that there are increasingly more conditions and greater convergence among the perspectives of each of the protagonists on the territorial issue.

«But to dialogue is not to sit down and talk about anything to say anything; dialogue requires preparation, information, trust, and conducive conditions to overcome differences. The commitment to dialogue implies a process of preparation for society, companies, and the State,» said Velásquez. As a conclusion of the day, the participants agreed that it is the responsibility of companies and the government to listen to the requests of this interest group, as well as to mediate and seek benefits for both people, the environment, and the companies. All this in order to mitigate conflict with communities due to lack of dialogue and increase opportunities to create harmonious and lasting relationships that establish a win-win situation among the parties involved in extractive activities.