Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, has informed the National Assembly that the government is awaiting a nominee from the political opposition to move ahead with the establishment of a Local Content Advisory Committee.
His comment was a direct response to a question posed by Opposition Parliamentarian, David Patterson on the appointment of the body.
Minister Bharrat pointed out that the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton was sent correspondence on the matter on September 6, 2022 while his predecessor, Joseph Harmon was asked for a nominee on January 7, 2022. Bharrat said neither party provided a response.
According to the Act, the Local Content Advisory Committee would be expected to help the Local Content Secretariat with the discharge of its functions. This includes developing and maintaining measures for the effective implementation of local content by contractors, sub-contractors, and licensees.
The law states that the committee shall consist of not less than seven members who are to be appointed by the President.
Its members would have to be selected from the following agencies: Office of the President; the Ministries of Natural Resources, Finance, Home Affairs, Labour, Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Education, Public Works; the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs; Guyana Office for Investment; Private Sector Commission, Labour Union, National Toshaos Council, Guyana Bar Association, Parliamentary Opposition, and Local Petroleum Organisations.
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The law further notes that the members shall serve for a term of one year, which may be renewed by the President.
In the absence of the committee, the Local Content Secretariat, established in January 2022, continues to carry out its duties as prescribed by the law.
The Local Content Secretariat functions as the focal point for the monitoring, evaluation, coordination, and reporting of local content in the petroleum operations of Guyana.
