CGX Energy Inc. and its partner Frontera Energy Corporation on Monday donated $10M to Government’s COVID-19 emergency response plan which Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said was timely and will be immediately put to use.
A press release from Guyenterprise said Anthony explained that the funds will be expended on three areas of urgent need— Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for front line healthcare workers, acquisition of additional testing kits and a public health awareness programme on habits to inculcate to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
According to the release, the donation brought to fruition a promise made by CGX and Frontera close to a month ago to respond to President Irfaan Ali’s call for contributions to government’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On August 15th, the two companies contributed to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) $14M worth of 40, 000 packets of Morning Glory Rice Cereal for food hampers to be distributed to the country’s most affected citizens.
The release said that Executive Chairman of CGX Energy, Professor Suresh Narine, encouraged the private sector to join the fight against COVID-19, while explaining that corporate social responsibility initiatives “are not only motivated by kindness; but that healthy, productive, educated, peaceful and united populations are of direct benefit to companies such as CGX and Frontera operating in Guyana.”
“Therefore, investing in the health and prosperity of Guyanese has a direct feedback loop to the bottom line of companies through the fostering of a conducive environment and to an educated and healthy workforce,” the release quoted Narine as saying.
It added that Anthony in brief remarks thanked CGX “for its leadership over the years in thoughtful and innovative” corporate responsibility programmes, while encouraging other companies to similarly come forward and partner with the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anthony was presented with a symbolic cheque for $10M by Professor Narine.
The presentation took place at the Office of the Prime Minister, Colgrain House, Camp Street Georgetown. Prime Minister Mark Phillips chairs the Government’s task force to combat COVID-19.
The release said that in the interest of transparency and accountability, the companies will be presented with a report on how the funds were spent.
