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The Guyana Technical Training College, located in Port Mourant, Corentyne Berbice, is poised to initiate an extensive 18-month training program focused on the burgeoning oil and gas sector in October of this year.

In a recent interview with reporters, the esteemed Director of the institution, Professor Clement Sankat said, “How are we going to do that? The buildings are being erected for the oil and gas track one. And we are expecting our classroom building, our workshop and laboratory building, and our Admin building would be ready for October so that we start our classes. Everything wouldn’t be ready, but we are moving quickly to use that facility as it is being built to start the training. Exxon and myself are working closely. We are trying to put things together so that we can take off.”

Presently, prospective students are required to travel to Canada to complete a comprehensive 12-month training regimen.

Upon their return to Guyana, they finalize their education with an additional six months of specialized training at the FacTor Simulator, which operates under the auspices of the Guyana Technical Training College Initiative (GTTCI).

Professor Sankat engaging students

“The students who are now in the simulator, just returned from Canada in December last year. And they are finishing off the six months training,”  Professor Sankat divulged.

Professor Sankat furthermore highlighted that a cohort of 33 students has recently returned from Canada, where they are now advancing their training at the FacTor Simulator. Notably, 22 of these students are enrolled in the mechanical instrumentation and production technicians program, which aims to provide them with crucial hands-on training experiences vital for their professional development in the oil and gas field.

“And SBM has also sent 11 cargo technicians to be trained. So, in all we have 33 students and in six months time they will graduate and be ready to be placed on the ships. And that is pleasing and what were doing here in Guyana in terms of technical training. Our students are ready for the world of work. It’s not about talking they are ready, we are making them ready by the hands-on training that they get,” he revealed.

A state-of-the-art training facility inaugurated last year received a US$13 million investment, or approximately GYD 2.6 billion. This facility marks the first phase of the Guyana Technical Training College Inc. initiative, a strategic partnership between the Government of Guyana and the Stabroek Block coventurers, including ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess Corporation, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

“The recruitment, up to now is being done Exxon and SBM. Because the Guyana Technical Training College is still yet being formed. So Exxon and SBM has been managing that up to now. GTTCI is gonna have a stronger hand in this recruitment. Not necessarily for this October intake but certainly the next intake,” Professor Sankat said.

Looking ahead, Phase Two of this ambitious project will introduce the construction of a comprehensive campus capable of accommodating up to 150 students. In addition to student housing, the campus will feature modern administrative offices, all equipped with the necessary amenities to foster a conducive learning environment.

Notably, Guyana now stands among a select group of ten nations globally that boast a training facility of such magnitude, thereby enhancing its capacity for workforce development.

In July of the preceding year, a commendable cohort of 24 young adults successfully graduated from the program, attaining certification as operations and maintenance technicians—a critical qualification poised to equip them for careers in offshore operations.

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A West Coast Demerara businesswoman has been charged with defrauding a total of 95 victims in a fraudulent vehicle sales scheme, which investigators say took place over the course of 2024.

Adacia Coleman, 31, owner of Limitless Lenders, is accused of scamming victims out of significant sums of money, with individual amounts ranging from $300,000 to $1,000,000.

According to police, Coleman, who operates her business from her home at Lot 122 Stewartsville Old Road, West Coast Demerara, allegedly promised customers that they would receive vehicles of their choice after paying a deposit.

Victims were provided with receipts for their payments and told to expect delivery within three months. However, when the vehicles failed to arrive within the specified timeframe, many of the victims became concerned and sought updates from the businesswoman.

In response, Coleman reportedly cited delays due to a “storm in the Caribbean” each time customers followed up. As frustrations mounted, some victims demanded refunds, but Coleman only offered to return the money via MMG (mobile money) or bank cheques. Nine victims insisted on receiving cash and, according to reports, were issued post-dated cheques from Demerara Bank.

When the victims attempted to cash the cheques on the designated dates, they were informed by bank tellers that the cheques were invalid, and they were directed to return them to Coleman for clarification. Several victims have since filed complaints with the police, prompting an investigation into the matter.

Investigators have compiled five files related to the bank cheques, which were sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. The DPP has recommended charges in two of the cases, while additional inquiries are ongoing in the remaining three. Meanwhile, files are being prepared for the other 86 victims who are still waiting for the delivery of their vehicles.

On Tuesday, Coleman turned herself in to authorities at the Leonora Police Station, accompanied by her lawyer. She was informed of the allegations against her and subsequently placed into custody for further investigation. Following advice from the DPP, Coleman was charged with two counts of Obtaining Money by False Pretence.

Coleman appeared at the Leonora Magistrates’ Court #2 on January 8, 2025, before Her Worship Ms. A. George. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded to prison until January 31, 2025, when the case will be heard further. The investigation into the remaining matters continues, and more charges could follow.

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Authorities are investigating an armed robbery that took place in the Perseverance Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, on Tuesday evening.

Neon Wray, a 48-year-old businessman, and his wife Askale Wray, aged 49, were the victims of the brazen attack, which occurred around 19:45 hrs.

The couple was returning home after a day’s work when they were accosted by two armed men who had jumped the fence into their property.

The suspects, both described as males of African descent, were reportedly brandishing what appeared to be handguns as they confronted the couple outside their residence.

The robbers demanded cash and valuables, which the victims handed over without resistance.

Among the stolen items were one Guyanese passport, a number of personal documents, two Samsung A35 mobile phones (worth a combined total of $136,000), and a sum of $125,000 in Guyanese currency.

After the theft, the suspects fled the scene over the fence and made off on foot.

According to reports, Mr Wray had left his wholesale beverage depot in Ruimveldt Gardens, arriving at his home just before the robbery took place. Investigators are continuing to follow leads and are working to identify the suspects involved in the crime.

No injuries have been reported, but the couple has been left shaken by the traumatic ordeal. Police are urging anyone with information about the robbery or the suspects’ whereabouts to come forward.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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See below the full statement issued:

The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo is pleased to welcome on board CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL) as a Platinum Sponsor. This marks the fourth consecutive year CNOOC has been a sponsor of the conference.

CPGL holds a 25% working interest in Guyana’s offshore Stabroek Block where over 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent have been unlocked. CPGL is a fully owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited.

Chairman of the Guyana Energy Conference, Mr Anthony Whyte in a brief comment said, “The incredible resources unlocked in the Stabroek block will continue to play a critical role in Guyana’s development trajectory for decades to come. To facilitate discussions on the safe and sustainable production of these resources, it is imperative that we have stakeholders such as CNOOC at the table. From the onset, CNOOC has always been an avid supporter of the Guyana Energy Conference and a key contributor to the discussions that take place.”

The Chairman added, “For the 2025 edition of our conference, I have every confidence that their stellar contributions will solidify once again that together, we can successfully certainly navigate the challenges within the industry while harnessing opportunities for prosperity and sustainable development.”

Mr. Lian Jihong, the newly appointed President of CPGL, declared that “CNOOC is committed to an enduring partnership with Guyana. We are extremely proud of the benefits that the Government and people of Guyana have gained through the production from the Stabroek Block.”

The Guyana Energy Conference once again thanks CNOOC and its management team for its continued support and looks forward to hosting a successful conference for 2025 and beyond.

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From a batting perspective, the management of the Guyana Harpy Eagles should be pleased.

After two days of play and 171 overs, 791 runs have been scored in the Four-Day practice match ahead of the upcoming Regional season.

After hundreds from all-rounders Junior Sinclair and Ronaldo Alimohamed on day one, Kemol Savory and Zeynul Ramsammy got close to emulating such with fluent half-centuries.

Ramsammy, a young prospect, made 75 (8x4s; 2x6s) from 148 balls, while Savory, who is expected to play a key role with the bat, got a boost of confidence with an unbeaten 76 after he ran out of partners.

The Harpy Eagles player struck seven fours and three sixes from the 103 balls he faced. In the previous match, he scored 89 and 48.

Brandon Jaikaran (33) and Antony Adams (25) also got some starts, while Raymond Perez would want a confidence-boosting innings in the second innings after falling for just 19.

Young left-spinner Riyad Latiff got 3-53, Junior Sinclair took 2-38, and Veerasammy Permaul 2-48.

Day three is scheduled to commence at 09:30h.

The first Regional Four-Day match is scheduled for January 29 as the Harpy Eagles host Barbados Pride at the National Stadium.

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President Dr Irfaan Ali said that his government will develop approximately 2000 house lots on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway through collaboration between the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC).

The President made the disclosure on Wednesday afternoon, while addressing residents from Silver Hill, Adventure and Kairuni at a meeting in the Silver Hill Community Centre.

“We’re going to try to create about 1500 to 2000 lots… so that we can have persons living in a cluster, in a settlement format, rather than squatting, so you can have access to all the facilities and have excellent service within those communities. We want to ensure that we build the conditions that will give your children a better future than you would have had.”

The President said that the development will be complemented by continued investment in infrastructure, agriculture, water, electricity, services and other sectors on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

He said that in Yarrowkabra alone, the Government has plans to invest almost $800m in a food hub, which would boost the community’s economy.

“Today, I want to engage you, as we have been doing all across the country, in the continued investments we can make in your communities so that we can continue to make your life more prosperous, more productive and see ways in which we can partner with you so we can deliver better services to residents all across the country.”

Residents at the meeting were given the opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions on the development of their respective communities, including infrastructural works, energy needs, water needs and more job opportunities.

The President said that a shipment of solar systems is expected to arrive in Guyana soon to be distributed to residents, while more black tanks will be distributed in Adventure, and a ballfield in the community will be examined for rehabilitation.

He also said that his Government will work with residents, especially single parents and women, to support projects such as beekeeping and poultry.

After the meeting in Silver Hill, the President conducted another community meeting in Timehri, where he also addressed residents and engaged them on their priorities for development.

Stemming from this, the President said his Government will work on rehabilitating the community centre and market, and immediately address the issues the health centre in the area is facing, as well as other health centres along the East Bank corridor.

He said that different government officials will visit the area over the next three weeks to address the issues raised.

Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Vickram Bharrat; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, the Honourable Kwame McCoy; Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, the Honourable Susan Rodrigues; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, the Honourable Deodat Indar; and other Government officials were also part of the meetings.

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The government is working to improve the payment period for local contractors in the oil and gas sector, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat revealed at a recent press conference.

He stated that the government is pushing oil companies to settle payments with contractors within 30 days of receiving a correct invoice. This will mark a further reduction from the 45-day payment period. Previously, payments took up to 90 days.

“We have managed to work on payments for our local contractors because again financing is an issue. So, if they are not paying within a certain particular time it basically push them out of the sector, they don’t have the resources to continue functioning,” Minister Bharrat stated.

Director of the Local Content Secretariat at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Dr. Martin Pertab also addressed ongoing efforts to resolve payment issues through local commercial banks. He noted instances where payments to local companies were made to be processed outside of Guyana.

Meanwhile, Minister Bharrat also acknowledged the issue of “fronting” where non-Guyanese entities exploit local companies to access benefits meant for Guyanese.

“We still have the issue of fronting, this is something that we will have to continuously deal with.

“The legislation was set up to benefit Guyanese not Guyanese to use it to smart the system and to take away benefits from us as a country,” the minister expressed.

Minister Bharrat urged local companies to avoid engaging in fronting practices and added: “That is selling yourself, selling your country when we fought so hard to bring benefits to our people and our country.”

The government is also investing in the training and certification of Guyanese workers to enable them to access higher-level technical roles in the oil and gas sector. The Guyana Technical Training College continues to play a key role in this effort, providing training opportunities for young Guyanese.

“We won’t want to boast of Guyanese being employed in the oil and gas sector when the employment is at the lower end of the scale.

“We believe that we can train our people to work at the technical level too in the oil and gas sector and that is exactly what we have being doing in the Guyana Technical Training College,” Bharrat said.

Additionally, there are scholarships in place to further these goals.
“We have an agreement with CNOOC, with close to 10 students currently studying in China. These young people will return to Guyana to work in the oil and gas sector,” the minister stated.

Currently, over 6,500 Guyanese are employed in the sector with efforts underway to increase the number of technical officers and engineers working offshore.

“Yes we can boast that we have over 6,500 Guyanese working in the oil and gas sector but we want to be comfortable too, to say that these Guyanese are working in technical areas as well and they are not just labourers or cleaners or helpers on FPSOs.”

The addition of the fourth Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, One Guyana, set to start production in late 2025. This is further expected to boost local employment in the sector.

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