Dear Editor,
Permit me to comment on an article I read recently in the August 6, 2021 Edition of Oil Now. I refer to a few statements attributed to Mr. Manniram Prashad, Chairman of the Energy Chamber, in which he stated that Guyanese need to learn fast and be able to act quickly to take up available opportunities in the developing Oil and Gas Sector here in Guyana. I agree with him that prior to 2015 there was nothing going on or any form of education for the public or the local business community in preparation for this industry. Guyanese were of the belief that the industry would develop and like countries rich with Oil and Gas, the economy would grow and then opportunities would flow. But this is not the way it works, so Manniram is on point here. It is education for the general public and sensitization of the Guyanese business community of the potential needs of the Industry. Guyanese should have been made aware of the services which would have been required and other Technical supports. Here Guyanese were not asking about the big technical stuff but the basic things that would have had them become an integral part of the Industry. This was not to be, since the Exxon success story offshore in Guyana, Guyanese can hardly say that they feel or see the benefits of this. Here it’s not about the payment of the oil sales or Royalties but business opportunities where scores and scores of Guyanese would have been the recipients of the spinoffs of services and other contracts; instead the bulk of these basic things are within the control of foreign contractors. To support what I am saying I will share the results of a survey undertaken by a group of friends over the past few months.
No Guyanese would believe that the bulk of businesses contracted as suppliers to the Oil and Gas Industry are Trinidadians with over 500 registered businesses in Guyana followed by the United States of America with over 260 then Guyana with over 140, Canada with over 90 and the UK with around 60 – and get this – Suriname with more than 50, Brazil and Barbados with several scores. Can anyone explain to us how can or why should Guyana be allowing Trinidadians to establish businesses in the Oil and Gas Industry in this country to offer services such as logistics (this terms hides the basic stuff they do and it is not complicated) and training, realty and transportation, and event management, house management etc., Look this is so embarrassing when one gets down to the nitty gritty of exactly what they are doing. Guyanese were made to feel that the Trinidadians knew all about Oil and Gas and we should leave them to operate. But if you doubt me go yourself and enquire what they are here doing… as a matter of fact all of them. Be certain that they are following the laws and regulations of the country, that they are registered with the NIS and GRA and that they are actually compliant; that they are not hiring Trinidadians or foreign employees to perform the basic roles Guyanese can do. This must stop – Guyanese should enjoy the benefits of this industry. Guyanese have waited too long, treated too badly and denied too many opportunities throughout the regions both in the Caribbean and further afield. Let’s fix this now – Oil Now.
Sincerely,
Alex James
