President Ali says gas, fertilizer and storage investments critical as Guyana prepares for global shocks

President Dr Irfaan Ali says Guyana must move more aggressively to build out its oil and gas-related infrastructure, warning that growing global uncertainty makes it even more urgent for the country to secure long-term energy, fertilizer and petrochemical capacity.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Ali said changes taking place internationally, including tensions in the Middle East and supply disruptions elsewhere, are pushing Guyana to think more seriously about national resilience and self-sufficiency.

Among the priorities he identified was the completion of a fertilizer facility in Guyana, which he said is now even more important because of the country’s access to natural gas.

“We’re also seeing now how important completing the fertilizer facility is in Guyana, now that we have natural gas,” the President said.

Ali pointed to the global fallout from recent geopolitical disruptions, including the effects of the war in Ukraine, and warned that further tensions involving major producing countries could worsen supply challenges for fertilizer, petrochemicals and other natural gas by-products.

He said Guyana is already facing difficulty accessing some petrochemical products and warned that the world could be heading into an even more difficult period.

“We are heading into a very difficult front and we have to start looking at ways in which to protect ourselves and protect this region,” he said.

The President suggested that Guyana must use its emerging energy resources not only to meet local needs, but also to position itself as a strategic player in regional supply and long-term security.

He said recent developments show the value of building large-scale storage and downstream capacity, noting that Guyana could play a much bigger role during global crises if such infrastructure were already in place.

“Just imagine if we had a massive storage facility in Guyana under these challenges, the role Guyana could have played,” Ali said.

He added that countries around the world are now likely rethinking where they invest in order to ensure long-term supply security, and said Guyana must do the same by turning today’s challenges into future opportunities.

“We have to look at these challenges and build out long-term opportunities,” the President said.

Ali’s comments underscore the government’s broader view that Guyana’s oil and gas wealth must be used not only for exports and revenue, but also to support fertilizer production, petrochemical access, energy security and wider regional resilience.

 

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