Bynoe urges Berbicians to prepare for oil and gas

way’’; we want to ensure that everyone feels comfortable that the resources of Guyana are well-managed and looked after,” he said.

With regards to accountability, Bynoe said that the DoE will be accountable not only to themselves but to the people of Guyana. Actions will only be taken based on data and evidence, he added.

Bynoe emphasised that the session was to assist persons to make informed decisions regarding their future. “(It) is to help you to position yourselves for what is to come not only from oil and gas but from the revenue from oil and gas as well,” he said. He added that it was also an opportunity for stakeholders to actively participate in the discussion and decision-making process.

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, over 200 youths and other Berbicians including former sugar workers gathered with envelopes in their hands as they were reportedly told that the DoE was heading to Berbice to offer employment to some 200 persons.

One young woman told Stabroek News that a government representative in the region told persons that the DoE was looking for 200 persons and would be visiting to conduct interviews in the region.

The young woman, who asked not to be named, said they were told to walk along with their identification card, TIN certificate, birth certificate, CXC slip and certificates of other programmes they would have been a part of, if any.

Regional Chairman David Armogan, during his opening remarks, immediately dismissed the notion that persons would be interviewed for employment. After the chairman made this statement, youths gathered began to exit the building.

However, Bynoe during his presentation, said that his department would have been willing to take the names of persons at most, had they stayed.