The Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil Guyana on Tuesday last launched a new Oil and Gas Corner at the New Amsterdam National Library, an initiative aimed at demystifying the oil and gas industry and inspiring young Guyanese to pursue careers in the sector.
According to a Ministry of Finance release, speaking at the official opening, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said the initiative, though modest in appearance, could serve as a critical first point of contact between young people and the country’s rapidly expanding oil and gas industry. “Today’s launch, while it may seem small on the surface, represents an extremely important step in bringing the oil and gas industry closer to the Guyanese people,” Dr. Singh said. “For many young people, this may be their first opportunity to see what an FPSO looks like, to understand subsea operations, and to begin visualising their place in the industry.”
The Oil and Gas Corner is an ExxonMobil Guyana initiative implemented in collaboration with the Government of Guyana and features an exact replica of the One Guyana Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, along with educational materials designed to simplify complex offshore operations for public learning. Dr. Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to knowledge, strengthening public education, and ensuring students are equipped with a clear understanding of Guyana’s oil and gas sector.
He urged young people to take advantage of educational pathways being developed by the state, including programmes at the University of Guyana and the Guyana Technical Training College at Port Mourant. “We want as many Guyanese people as possible working in this industry,” he said. “This corner forms part of a wider rollout of initiatives designed to inform citizens of the vast opportunities available and place them on a path to meaningful participation.” Dr. Singh also expressed gratitude to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, and the staff of the New Amsterdam National Library for bringing the project to fruition, while expressing hope that similar corners will be established across the country.
President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, said the initiative is intended to bring offshore operations to life for communities onshore, making the industry more relatable and transparent. “This is exactly what I expect to see in libraries like this—bringing to life what we do, sharing our passion, and showing how we operate safely,” Routledge said. “I’m really excited to be here and grateful to the Government, the National Library of New Amsterdam, and the Region for making this possible.” The Oil and Gas Corner is expected to be replicated in several branch libraries, including the National Library in Georgetown, as part of a broader public education effort. Also in attendance at the launch was Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, Narindra Persaud, along with library officials and community stakeholders.