Another rogue department in MNRE?

Dear Editor,

Just recently the second case in the right of way (RoW) of the Gas to Energy (GtE) Project was reported in the press.

Just recently I received from ExxonMobil Guyana, previously EEPGL, GtE project management team “For record though, ExxonMobil has authority from the President, consent from the Minister of Natural Resources, and Notice to Proceed from the Minister of Public Works”. This was after the June 2023 public announcement in the press of the award of the laying of onshore pipeline to an Italian/Guyanese consortium.

The General Secretary knew about cases within the judicial system viz a viz GtE, albeit it is not clear whether the Honour VP can be assumed to have had the same information, when he discussed some of these cases, in his 18 May 2023 press conference. Listen from about 47.50 mins – Press Conference by General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. May 18th, 2023 | WATCH LIVE || Press Conference by General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo | By Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo | Facebook.

On the assumption that the GoG is also mandated to follow the laws with its process and procedures in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. It begs the question whether or not it was another rogue department in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment which gave permission to ExxonMobil Guyana, formerly EEPGL? And also whether the officer responsible for Public and Government Affairs within ExxonMobil Guyana, previously EEPGL, exercised due care and diligence before the award of the onshore pipeline contract?

Prima facie, this is another notch in the lack of due diligence and adherence to rule of law in the implementation of the Gas to Energy project. Are these signs of chronicles that our electricity will neither half in price nor the rate of blackout decrease, foretold?

Yours truly,