Guyana’s First Lady Arya Ali toured the country’s largest shore base facility servicing the offshore exploration and production operations on Friday, where she discussed matters related to the environment and employment.
In recognizing the pivotal role the country’s oil and gas sector is set to play in accelerating its development, the First Lady said the work of all stakeholders is critical, noting, “we must familiarize ourselves with all that is happening.”
The Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI), located on the outskirts of Georgetown, is the largest shore base facility at present providing specialized management and integrated logistics services for operators in the country’s petroleum industry.
“After learning about their operations and having a tour of the facility, I made sure to ask the tough questions about environmental regulations and local content,” the First Lady said. “I was happy to know that the company has been in compliance with environmental regulations and has taken steps to ensure it reduces its carbon footprints.”
The First Lady said she was also delighted to know that 94% of all staff are Guyanese, and in the coming months, more Guyanese will be employed at the company.
“However, I could not leave without making a pitch for the company to examine a list of unemployed differently-abled persons, and commit to employing some of them,” she stated, adding that she was able to get a commitment from the company to support her ‘adopt-an-orphanage’ initiative which will be launched in December.
The First Lady recently met with U.S Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, as part of ongoing efforts to mobilize support for vulnerable groups across the South American country. At the that meeting the First Lady explained that differently-abled persons must be empowered through collective recognition and integration into society.
