-says Jagdeo

VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday, clarified that the government did not grant oil giant, Exxon Mobil’s request for duty-free concessions to purchase a fleet of vehicles for their operations here.

He was at the time speaking at a press conference where he sought to clarify false reports that were recently published by one of Guyana’s daily newspapers.

He noted that reports emanating from this agency included headlines that were heavily distorted.

Dr Jagdeo said: “I saw they said that Exxon getting duty-free to bring in these vehicles. Exxon wanted a fleet of over 100 vehicles, duty-free to bring them in.”

To this end, he said that the government denied this request and stated that the company was not eligible.

“We said, no, you’re not eligible, we’re not giving you – a fleet of four by fours and we did not give the concessions,” Jagdeo told the conference.

Against this backdrop, he indicated that while the government did not feel that the company was eligible, such a move would have undermined their business that is currently going to locals.

The government, since taking office has enacted the Local Content legislation which makes provisions for Guyanese businesses to provide services to oil and gas companies and their contractors in Guyana.

The laws are designed to promote economic growth and development in the country by requiring companies to use local goods and services.

According to the legislation, companies must procure from Guyanese companies, 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services, 90 per cent janitorial services, laundry and catering services, 95 per cent pest-control services, 100 per cent local insurance services, 75 per cent local supply of food, 90 per cent local accounting services and 100 per cent ground transportation services.