ExxonMobil will not recover $285M CSR costs in Guyana – Routledge

United States oil giant ExxonMobil on Tuesday said that it has invested more than G $285M in contributions and sponsorships of various organisations and activities in 2020. Nearly $140M of this amount has gone to help students, other vulnerable groups and the Government adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other contributions have helped women start businesses, people train for jobs and wildlife organizations study and conserve Guyana’s unique natural heritage, among other causes.

“This is one of the tangible gestures of our commitment to important social programmes here in Guyana. Contrary to one media report, these donations are funded directly by ExxonMobil and will not be part of the cost recovery mechanism under the Stabroek PSA,” said ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge.

Since 2015, the company has committed more than $2.7B to fund projects across all 10 administrative regions.

ExxonMobil Guyana has supported the Iwokrama International Center for rainforest conservation through the Center’s Science Programme including community relations, biodiversity, climate change and hydrology projects, fundraising, publications and capital equipment; National Center for Education Resource Development (NCERD) to create and air of educational-based programmes on television and radio for students preparing for national and regional examinations; and the Volunteer Youth Corps towards continuous STEM education afterschool programmes.

Additionally, support was provided to  Specialists in Sustained Youth Development and Research (SSYDR) towards the Employment Attack 102 – Job Readiness Summer Camp which will benefit 150 disadvantaged youth from Regions 2, 3, 4, 6 & 10 during the COVID-19 pandemic through training and linkages to livelihood opportunities;  STEM Guyana to support the Virtual Academy programme for underprivileged students in 12 villages across 8 regions; Rotary Club of Stabroek in partnership with BrainStreet towards supporting the continuing education of students during COVID-19.  The focus is on Grades 4, 5 and 6 to help students to prepare for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and on Grades 9, 10 & 11 to help students to prepare for the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and other academic examinations.

WeLead Caribbean was supported by the oil company in the area of women empowerment – human resources, business development, branding and packaging in Regions 2 and 3 while the Blue Flame Women’s Group was assisted with the upgrade of the existing factory which produces cocoa sticks, coffee and cassava bread in Region One.