Infrastructure Ministry equipped to meet demands of oil and gas sector

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, January 8, 2020

With the production of oil already in process for Guyana, infrastructure is an area that will have significant impact on the country’s ability to meet the demands of the oil and gas sector.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson has boasted that based on the performance of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, especially within the past year, the country is no doubt capable of handling the demands of the new industry.

“With the commencing of oil [production] the Country’s aging infrastructure will be put to test and we as a Ministry will have to respond to those challenges,” Minister Patterson said.

For 2019 the ministry expended more than 80% of its $38.7B budget, which was its largest yet, towards the development of infrastructure in the country.

The Ministry has started and successfully completed a number of infrastructural projects in both rural and urban areas such as roads, bridges, drainage and irrigation systems, as well as works on airstrips.

“I feel that the ministry is well equipped to meet the demands for the oil and gas sector…Agencies have ramped up their capacities as well… We do expect to continue the momentum we have and increase it post-elections,” Minister Patterson stated.

Among the agencies referenced were the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).