Guyana’s emerging upstream petroleum industry is set to receive technical assistance and practical learnings from Ghana as part of efforts to spur on the development of its industry.
Following an earlier visit from officials from the South American nation in October this year, a team from Ghana has honoured the request of the Vice President of Guyana, H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo to continue technical discussions in his country.
According to H.E. Jagdeo, the emerging opportunities in the industry require guidance from more established entities to ensure that his country deploys the right strategies and best practice to build robust structures.
The visit and subsequent meetings which were held last week comprised of a Ghanaian technical team represented by Director, Local Content, Mr. Kwaku Boateng; CEO, Ghana National Gas Company; Mr. Benjamin Asante; and Snr. Technical Manager at Ghana National Gas Company, Mr. Abraham Mensah. The team met with a delegation of lawyers from Guyana’s Chamber of the Attorney General to deliberate on matters concerning Guyana’s local content legislation.
Further deliberations were held on Guyana’s Local Content Bill and Ghana’s technical team made several vital inputs and recommendations to the Guyanese. The Ghanaian delegation further promised to send academic essays and court rulings on their legislation following a request from the Guyanese’s Chamber of the Attorney General. The documents are to serve as a guide to augment Guyana’s efforts.
A local legal committee comprising of lawyers and drafters from the Chamber of the Attorney General, persons from the Environmental Protection Agency and officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources was constituted after the meeting.
“This team will spearhead Guyana’s pursuit of legislative changes in the oil and gas sector,” Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs, Mr. Mohabi Anil Nandlall said.
The committee will work jointly with the delegation from Ghana to develop a Local Content Bill that meets industry best practice. Other matters pertaining to the legislative infrastructure of the oil and gas industry were also tabled for discussion.
There is the hope for a more fruitful relationship and collaborations between both countries in the spirit of south-south cooperation.
Source: Petroleum Commission