The Mayors of Georgetown and Aberdeen on Friday signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The MOU, inked at City Hall on Friday by Georgetown’s Mayor, Ubraj Narine, and Lord Provost, Mayor of Aberdeen, Barney Crockett from Scotland, aims to adequately prepare Georgetown for production in the emerging oil and gas sector expected to begin in a few months’ time.
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), some of the key areas of focus for the MOU include stimulating and supporting offshore energy business interactions between the two cities. Also, capacity-building and developing skills in the offshore energy industry in Georgetown, including facilitating university links and exploring opportunities through co-designed initiatives for funding priority Georgetown city projects, including healthcare services, solid waste management and green open spaces.
Mayor Crockett said that Guyana has tremendous prospects and he is looking forward to working with Mayor Narine to make life better for the people of Georgetown.
Mayor of Aberdeen Barney Crockett
“We have had a long experience in oil and gas. I grew up in Aberdeen before the oil industry came so I remember what it was like, I remember some of the errors that we made but also some of the good things that would have happened so I hope with that history, Guyana can …be part of an international world where there are opportunities for Guyanese,” explained Mayor Crockett.
He pointed out that Guyana must avoid risking its natural resources for a forthcoming industry no matter how lucrative it may seem. “You do not want to risk the enormous reputation that Guyana has; its eco-tourism, pristine nature, its wonderful wildlife in order to have a positive development of is natural resources.”
In order to reap the benefits of the emerging sector, Mayor Crockett noted that Guyanese must be prepared for the rapid development and growth while at the same time balancing the tremendous attributes of Georgetown. He noted that planning for the infrastructural needs of the city, cooperation between the city Administration and the national Government will be vital.
