AG assures fair payouts as Govt moves to acquire land for major power project

Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, on Sunday met with over 100 residents, primarily farmers from Mahaica to Blairmont to discuss the pending acquisition of lands along the corridor earmarked for the installation of Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) new transmission cables.
The consultation was held at Latchmansingh Primary School, Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice (WCB) and focused on the Government’s plan to install transmission lines that will carry electricity generated by the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project. The lines are expected to stretch as far as Number 53 Village, Corentyne Coast.

During the meeting, Nandlall explained the significance of the GtE Project, noting that it will provide a more reliable and affordable supply of electricity and cooking gas to citizens. He underscored the project’s wide-reaching economic benefits, calling it a transformative initiative for the nation.
“The Gas-to-Shore Project will have a massive impact on our economy and on the lives of every Guyanese citizen. It is not just about energy — it is about modernising Guyana,” he said.
Nandlall detailed the legal framework guiding the compulsory acquisition of land and assured residents that the process will be grounded in fairness and transparency. He emphasised that landowners will be compensated at full market value in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws.
“In this exercise, the Government’s priority is to ensure that your proprietary interests are protected, that the process embarked upon is fair and transparent, and that, as far as possible, we arrive at consensual positions on what fair market value is,” he said.
The AG noted that while the Government will provide legal and valuation support, landowners are free to engage independent attorneys and valuation professionals.
He also pointed out that the Government will aim to utilise State lands wherever feasible and only acquire private lands when absolutely necessary. Compensation, he added, will also extend to crops, buildings, and other structures on both private and leased State lands.
Also attending the consultation were Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal, officials from GPL, the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA), and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

Similar meeting
A similar meeting was previously held with farmers along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) corridor.
“Right here on the East Bank corridor, the farmers of Friendship, Garden of Eden, Craig, all the way to Mocha. I’m sitting and negotiating with each of them, as well as their lawyers. Because we have to acquire lands again,” AG had said at the commissioning of a Magistrate’s Court at Friendship, EBD in April.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s flagship GtE Initiative is divided into five components: the pipeline from offshore production activities to Wales, the construction of the power plant and natural gas liquids (NGL) facilities, the transmission main to carry power generated at the plant, a new control centre at Eccles, EBD and the upgrading of the national power grid.
Upon completion, the project is expected to substantially lower electricity generation costs, enabling GPL to reduce tariffs. The Government has said that when completed, the project’s benefits would include a doubling of the country’s electricity generating capacity to keep pace with the growing demand. Benefits will also include the slashing of electricity prices paid by consumers by 50 per cent. This reduction has significant implications for the Guyanese economy, fostering more competitive production costs and stimulating broader economic growth.
ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has already finished constructing the gas pipeline, and the transmission lines and substations required for integration of the project are significantly advanced.