Head of the Energy Department, Dr. Mark Bynoe, revealed today that the final draft of the Local Content Policy was submitted by UK Consultant, Dr. Michael Warner and is now being edited. The official also confirmed that the policy is expected to be ready in time for first oil which is in a matter of days.
Speaking at a press conference held this morning, Dr. Bynoe said that while the editing process has been initiated, the department is working with the Operators to commence reporting on local content performance as per the matrices in the final draft policy.
As it relates to the local content efforts of ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Dr. Bynoe said that it is working with the Council for Technical Vocational Education and Training (C-TEVT) on revising the curriculum for electrical, welding and fabrication Level One programme. Additionally, he said that the schooling of trainers is set to begin in July/August 2020 to roll out the revised curriculum. Dr. Bynoe was also pleased to report that a facility upgrade in some laboratories is planned after a third party assessment is completed. This Third Party assessment is projected to be completed by the first quarter of 2020.
With regard to EEPGL’s latest local content report, Dr. Bynoe revealed that over 1,529 Guyanese are directly employed with the operator and its contractors, with 76% of these being in the skilled and professional categories. The Energy Director said that the representation of those employed in the sector was from Regions Four, Three and Six. Additionally, Dr. Bynoe said that the company engaged with over 435 Guyanese vendors, and spent over US$82 million in the third quarter and increase of more than 150% over the 2018 figure.
