Exxon debunks hotel construction plan claims

– admits it is examining constructing HQ in Guyana

Oil sector

Reports that oil giant ExxonMobil is planning to construct a hotel in Guyana are being debunked by the company. However, the company will be embarking on a construction project in Guyana.
ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brasington, related to this publication that reports in relation to the company planning to construct a hotel in Guyana are in fact inaccurate; but the company is currently examining its options for setting up local headquarters.

“I can confirm that ExxonMobil Guyana is not planning to build a hotel; that is inaccurate information,” Brassington explained. “We currently lease two office buildings. (So) we are looking at options to commission an office to accommodate our long-term growth and commitment to Guyana over the next several decades,” she explained.
Concerns have previously been raised about foreign companies setting up shop in Guyana but not employing Guyanese for jobs they could theoretically do. In Exxon’s case, Brassington sought to assure that Guyanese will be hired for its construction projects, in accordance with what the company has already been doing for Local Content.
“The same commitment we apply to Local Content in our operations will be upheld in any potential new office project. We strive to employ Guyanese in both short-term and long-term positions,” she said. “We have over 50% Guyanese currently working to support our operations already, and that will increase over the decades to come.”

Plans
According to media reports, some 10 acres of land currently under the control of Ogle Airport Incorporated (OAI) have been earmarked for the company pending approval from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission. In fact, a plan for leasing the land has reportedly been drawn up.
Included in the report were claims that the company planned to construct a helipad, training centre and living quarters equivalent to a hotel. Public Relations consultant Kit Nascimento was also quoted as confirming this arrangement. This publication’s efforts to contact Nascimento were futile.
Such a venture would have potential implications for Local Content. At the moment, Government is in the process of attracting investors for an entertainment complex in a bid to make the Marriott Hotel more viable. In addition, there are a number of other local hotels that would have had to compete against a new commercial hotel.
Local Content and what it would do for Guyana have been burning questions since the announcement of oil being found in the Stabroek block. After Exxon first tempered expectations by saying that few job opportunities would be created by the oil find, it has since said that it would help with Local Content delivery.
In July last year, Exxon opened its Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD), to provide support to existing and potential new suppliers and other stakeholders wishing to develop local companies.
Located on the third floor of the IPED Building on South Road, Georgetown, the CLBD, it is understood, will offer customised coaching to entrepreneurs in addition to financial support and business networking opportunities. The initial focus is also expected to be on local vendors serving key sectors of the oil-and-gas industry.
And according to CLBD Project Director Patrick Henry, the centre would conduct courses such as financial management alongside the Institute for Private Enterprise Development (IPED) and other partners.
But other things have so far not materialised. Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had, in 2016, announced that Cabinet had given its ‘no objection’ to the establishment of the onshore industrial site on Crab Island, in the mouth of the Berbice River.
He had said it would be forged through the joint efforts of the ministries of Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure and Business.
Construction was announced for early 2017, and the investments from the private sector and Government’s infrastructural work and support were to be equivalent to US$500 million; but to this day, the Crab Island facility has not materialised.
There is also a draft Local Content law that was prepared by the Government. It is not clear if it is still actively in the consultative stage, however, as it is yet to be presented to the National Assembly.

PNC incompetence and stupidity. Just like their GNI FILTH HEADS):

Nehru posted:

PNC incompetence and stupidity. Just like their GNI FILTH HEADS):

you cannot be that stupid so i guess u drunk

This is not competence.  Someone is listening to voices in their head.  

Somebody ain't getting their story right out of Guyana. Could it be the PPP favored media?