Georgetown, Guyana – (September 10, 2019) Director, Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, last evening said, the historic arrival of Guyana’s first Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, the Liza Destiny, “heralds a tide of good fortunes which we must appreciate for both the magnificent engineering feat that [it] presents and the flood of opportunities and possibilities it presents for Guyana and Guyanese”.
The Energy Director made these remarks at a glowing Commemorative Reception hosted at the Guyana Marriott Hotel to mark the occasion.
Dr. Bynoe said the FPSO’s arrival in the Stabroek Block on August 29, 2019, three weeks ahead of schedule means that “our timetable has moved forward and, as policy-related body, the Department of Energy is also called upon to advance its timetable. It means that we move earlier to production of first oil and to seeing the benefits of this industry impact Guyanese much faster”.
The Energy Director noted that Guyanese should understand that the vessel will be paid for by Guyanese, pumping Guyanese fuel and will be bringing in revenue for Guyanese.
“These revenues can be used to help our country to ultimately be transformed positively from an economic development perspective. It is imperative that as Guyanese we begin to appreciate that the direct and the indirect benefits that emanate from this sector go far beyond anything that we have seen thus far… The Department of Energy is bullish on ensuring that we extract the best value for our people,” he emphasized.
Dr. Bynoe said Guyana’s future is bright and has many prospects in store for young, industrious and innovative minds.
“We welcome Liza Destiny, our first FPSO to her home Guyana, along with her crew and staff. We congratulate ExxonMobil, Hess, CNOCC and all its contractors and partners as well as all those Guyanese agencies who helped to create this moment and this opportunity,” he said.
ExxonMobil Guyana Country Manager, Mr. Rod Henson expressed similar sentiments.
“We have so much to celebrate and a bright path ahead of us and I believe this partnership has its best and most productive decades ahead. I had the privilege 0f becoming the President of ExxonMobil’s Guyana affiliate here in 2017 and since then, I’ve come to know many people in Guyana well and I truly value the relationships I’ve formed here. They make me optimistic for the future of this unique and beautiful country,” he said.
Meanwhile, First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, in her remarks, said that she was honoured to have been chosen to be ‘Godmother of the vessel’ and to be part of its “precocious” journey. The First Lady recalled that the vessel was refitted in two years, instead of the estimated five, and arrived in Guyana in record time.
She then commended the close collaboration between national and international agencies and partners in their endeavours to prepare Guyana for first oil.
“I would like to hope for the Liza Destiny, the partners and the crew, that it will bring us all the good things we anticipate; not only the profits and return of investment for Exxon and its partners, but also for the people of Guyana and in particular, our children a better quality of life, sustainable development and everything from which good oil will flow,” she stressed. .
Minister of State, Mrs. Dawn Hastings-Williams, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Basil Williams S.C., Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan, Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman and other Ministers, Members of Diplomatic Corps, officials of ExxonMobil and its partners also attended the celebration.
The colourful ceremony also saw performances by the Guyana Police Force Steel Band, the Region Four Children’s Choir, the Kunjaz Steel Ensemble and the National Dance Company. The programme was hosted by Ms. Ashley john and Mr. Leeron Brummell.
Leave a Comment