Dear Editor,
The Ministry of Natural Resources wishes to reiterate that all petroleum matters are now under the Department of Energy (DoE), Ministry of the Presidency.
With this in mind, two recent advertisements were placed by the Ministry of Natural Resources requesting expressions of interest for Consulting Firm Services for ‘Consultancy Services for Oil and Gas Project Evaluation (Phase 1)’ and ‘Consultancy for A Cost Recovery Audit in Guyana’.
This placement has resulted in an article being published by Kaieteur News headlined, “Gov’t. acts contrary to its own decision to move oil from Natural Resource Ministry”.
The article seeks to give the idea that the Ministry is confused, and questions the role that it currently plays in the oil and gas affairs, given that the portfolio has been shifted to the Department of Energy, Ministry of the Presidency. In light of this the Ministry believes an explanation is necessary.
It must first be noted that after negotiations by the Ministry of Finance, a World Bank loan for Guyana’s Oil and Gas Capacity Building Project was finalized. This loan came into being earlier this year, before the establishment of the Department of Energy.
Additionally, since the Ministry of Natural Resources held the oil and gas portfolio at the time, it was designated as the focal point for the loan and for the Project Implementation Unit (PIU). It was after the formation of the DoE and discussions with the quintet Ministers and Dr. Mark Bynoe, that it was decided that until budget 2019, MNR would remain as the accounting agency only for the procurement aspects and disbursement of funds.
Finally, for further clarification, it is pertinent to note that all decisions are made by the DoE and the MNR implements them as instructed. This system functions as a bridging mechanism until the DoE becomes formally established as a budget agency in the 2019 budget which will come in a few months’ time.
Yours faithfully,
Stephon Gabriel
Communications Officer
Ministry of Natural Resources
