Saipem Guyana’s Offshore Construction Facility at Water Street, Georgetown was officially launched yesterday and deemed to be a major milestone for the company’s dynamic relationship with Guyana, the world’s latest oil-producing State.
The facility that is owned by one of the largest oilfield services companies and Exxonmobil’s prime contractor for subsea structures, boasts direct access to the Demerara River. It will have the largest heavy lift crane in Guyana, specialized fabrication, welding, and testing equipment, and a heavy load-bearing jetty.
The event saw presentations by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali; Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat; ExxonMobil Guyana’s President, Alistair Routledge; and Saipem officials.
During his remarks, Thuranthiran Nadarajah, Country Manager for Saipem Guyana, was keen to note that it was a tough journey his company had embarked on to make the facility possible. Be that as it may, he said that it was certainly worth it as it is all part of Saipem’s commitment to Guyana.
The Country Manager said, “Right from the beginning, Saipem made a commitment to have an organic and sustainable development programme in Guyana. We stayed low, off the radar, but worked tirelessly in making sure we are progressing in the right directions.”
Nadarajah was also proud to disclose that Saipem’s onshore local operation comprises more than 80% of local staff. He said this is an achievement the company is proud of while adding that it is committed to increasing this number along with in-country capacity.
Speaking to the new facility, the Country Manager said it will significantly benefit Guyana in many ways including hiring and developing local talent, overall improvement of infrastructure, creating jobs, generating revenue for third-party services that directly service the yard and its fabrication connectivities, additional tax revenue for the country, etc.
He further noted that Saipem has set the standard for local content and will continue with its ambitions and aim to enhance local capabilities and skills of workers. He said this plan is based on ensuring genuine sustainability of local resources. Very importantly, Nadarajah said it will also enable Saipem to provide logistic capabilities and services to serve its client and their project in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
Nadarajah pledged that the new facility would become a landmark milestone for Guyana’s fabrication industry and subsequently thanked those persons and companies that played a wider role in ensuring the facility was established.
