THE Revealed Word of Christian Center was filled to capacity on Friday when members gathered to engage the Department of Energy to enhance their knowledge on the oil and gas industry in Guyana.

The church is located at 56, William Street Kitty, Georgetown.
Under the theme “Launch out into the Deep 2, understanding the Oil and Gas Sector,” Head of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, educated the gathering on the benefits the sector will have for all in the country.

Dr. Bynoe explained to the church gathering that the Energy Department is tasked with ensuring that the resources are filtered down to the people and it is working with the Board of Industrial Training and other agencies to promote educational programmes.

He noted that the department has moved to employ a communications expert to formulate the required programmes to get its messages out.

Dr. Bynoe said one of the positive effects that indirect benefits will bring is improved physical and social infrastructure.

Additionally, he said that there will be an increase in arrivals and as such, airport facilities will have to be improved, taxi drivers will have to upgrade their standards and the general infrastructure in terms of telecommunications and electricity will have to improve.

All of these developments, he said, will require skilled technical persons and therefore, there will be a need for more engineers, contractors and service providers, among others.

On the subject of jobs, Dr. Bynoe said, “those of us who are involved in agriculture, you don’t have to change, those of us who are involved in laundromats, you don’t have to change. What you have to do, however, is ensure your facilities that are service providers meet the required standards… even within the health sector, it is important that we focus on what is to come… so, upgrade your skills and prepare yourself.”

He explained to the gathering that direct benefits will accrue to Guyana from four main areas, namely: royalty, withholding taxes, profits, and job creations.

While indirect benefits, he said, will be reflected in an increase in investors’ confidence in the local economy, rising of standards and security levels, improved physical and social infrastructure, and improved economic activities.

He said the Petroleum Commission, the Local Content Policy and the Sovereign Wealth Fund will safeguard the benefits which belong to citizens.