Nov 12, 2025
News

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…pledges mega projects to transform Berbice

(Kaieteur News) – President Dr. Irfaan Ali has set an uncompromising deadline for Guyana to monetise its vast gas resources, insisting that the Stabroek Block, estimated at 17 trillion cubic feet (tcf), must fuel a series of mega projects aimed at transforming Berbice into a regional hub for innovation and industry.

Speaking to a packed audience of local and international investors, technical experts, and global industrial leaders at the inaugural Berbice Development Summit 2025 held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, President Ali declared, “I am not willing to push monetisation beyond 2030. Constitutionally, I have an election in 2031, and I can’t run again. I’m not leaving this decision for anyone after me. Any option that does not allow this country to monetise gas before 2030 will not have the type of support that I would like to give.” The two-day summit focuses on unlocking Berbice’s potential as Guyana’s logistical backbone for future industrialisation and energy distribution, positioning the region as a critical link for national and regional development.

Only recently Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo echoed similar sentiments saying that the government has made it clear that its energy partner, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) will not determine the country’s priorities where the utilisation of its resources is concerned. As such, he noted that revenue flow from the development of Guyana’s gas in the prolific Stabroek block must come in as early as possible.

He made the comments in response to President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge who has said that the liquification of natural gas was not a priority for the company. Routledge told reporters at a recent media briefing that while liquification of natural gas was an option, Exxon is actively considering other options to bring value to the country. “Currently we are not progressing plans to liquify any of the gas neither the Longtail or any of the other developments. We continue to hold that as an option but what we’ve been working with the government on is prioritise availability of gas and supply of gas onshore into the country where we’d have the highest value to the country to support additional power generation, installation of data centres…alumina. These kinds of projects and probably many others that will grow other parts of Guyana’s economy and provide other business opportunities.”

He added that these options would be “more attractive” compared to LNG. But Jagdeo noted that government remains focused on its plans to monetise the country’s gas resources and exploring all feasible options to do so.  “When we said we want to monetise the gas and that we were going to go out for an expression of interest to get a company that would work with us in a tripartite way, and with us, and Exxon in a tripartite way, we are serious about it, and we made it clear that we want to do this earlier, rather than later,” he said. The VP further pointed out that should Exxon not be interested in developing the resources in the Haimara and Pluma discoveries, then government is prepared to seek another contractor. He pointed out that government does not intend to put the project on the back burner; and is in fact willing to examine all options for the monetisation of the resources, that would return the most benefit to Guyana and prove feasible for the private investors.

Jagdeo had expressed disappointment that Exxon has seemingly dismissed the potential of a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) project, since he believes that option has great potential. He explained, “So we have not taken any option off the table in the pursuit of this project as yet and LNG is one of those very feasible options and that could be done faster, because you can do it through a floating platform. I hope Exxon doesn’t think that by trying to take this off the table, which it seems as though they’re doing by saying it’s not a priority, that they would delay this project that they were not initially interested in.”  The VP pointed out that infrastructure to support another option to develop the gas may take longer, compared to a floating LNG platform.

The GoG had engaged Fulcrum LNG to explore options to develop the country’s gas, however Jagdeo could not provide an update on the discussions with the company. He nevertheless urged, “This project has to happen, and it has to happen soon. It must become a priority for everyone, for Exxon, for the government and the other partners that we want a revenue stream to flow from the gas early to Guyana.” VP Jagdeo said that in determining the feasibility of a future project, every option must be explored which includes bringing the gas to shore for industrial purposes, utilising a floating platform to produce LNGs or exporting the gas to Trinidad.

Berbice growth

Meanwhile, the president emphasised the need to create a platform for momentum and unity by partnering with the government and private sector investors, and communities to expand networks and establish the Berbice ecosystem.

President Ali emphasised that Berbice’s growth must be viewed as part of Guyana’s wider integration with Brazil and the rest of South America, particularly through major projects such as the deep-water port, which will enable faster trade and transportation. He said that while Guyana is currently focused on developing its own gas potential, its infrastructure will also help neighbouring countries like Suriname shorten their time to monetisation and benefit from shared opportunities.

“This, for us, is a low hanging fruit and any development in Berbice must open up the opportunities,” the president noted. To complement this massive development, the government has committed to investing in a new Berbice River Bridge, the Moleson Creek to New Amsterdam four-lane highway, two Hope-like canals and a Corentyne River Bridge linking Guyana and Suriname.

“This infrastructure plan that I’ve outlined here, we are pursuing to have it all completed within five years. And it will get done. There is no choice,” the president affirmed. According to Dr. Ali, the ideas from the Berbice Development Summit will feed directly into the Guyana Energy Conference in February, where final investment decisions are expected to be made. President Ali thanked investors and partners for their support and confidence in Guyana’s growth trajectory. He reiterated that the government’s focus is to ensure that gas development creates tangible opportunities for people, jobs, and strengthens Guyana’s position as a key player in the region.

Attending the ceremony were the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, and ExxonMobil Guyana’s President Alistair Routledge, among other officials.

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