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Chairman of U.S. EXIM Bank visits controversial Wales gas project
President Irfaan Ali and the Chairman of the US Exim Bank, John Jovanovic pose with members of his cabinet.
(Kaieteur News) – As more damning revelations come to light on the troubled Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project, being executed by Lindsayca, Chairman of the United States Export Import (US EXIM) Bank, John Jovanovic on Thursday visited the site for a first hand assessment of ongoing construction activities.
President Irfaan Ali and Chairman of the US Exim bank, John Jovanovic.
He was accompanied by Prime Minister, Mark Phillips who holds responsibility for the energy sector, United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot and Chair of Lindsayca Guyana Inc., Nelson Drake. During his visit to Guyana, the Chairman of the US EXIM Bank is also slated to meet with President Irfaan Ali.
In a brief statement, the Prime Minister said on Thursday that he observed “significant advancement” to the project since his last visit in January this year.
According to the statement, “He emphasised that works are progressing steadily, with the installation of piping scheduled to begin within two weeks, following completion of pipe racks and ongoing foundation works.”
The Prime Minister also explained that the workforce is expected to rise to 1,100 and peak between 1,400 and 1,600, “with 12‑hour shifts supported by on‑site accommodations.”
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the contractor reported that the project is now moving into the mechanical installation phase, following the successful advancement of key civil and foundational activities. It added that major equipment has already been delivered and positioned on site and integration activities are advancing daily.
According to the company, “Operations continue across multiple work fronts, with several key activities carried out 24 hours a day, supported by a workforce of over 870 personnel and 240 units of equipment on site.”
President Irfaan Ali and Chairman of the US Exim bank, John Jovanovic with their respective delegations during the meeting at State House .
Lindsayca pointed out that more than 2 million man-hours have been completed safely to date, reflecting a strong culture of discipline and consistent delivery across the site.
Further, it noted, “This progress is backed by a global logistics operation, with over 170 shipments from more than 20 countries, ensuring the timely delivery and integration of critical equipment.”
The high level visit by Chairman of the US EXIM Bank and other officials reinforce the project’s national importance, operational transparency, and the level of alignment required to deliver infrastructure of this scale, according to the company.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and the team with the Wales Gas to Energy Project.
The visit by Chairman of the US EXIM Bank come amid a series of troubling disclosures by Kaieteur News regarding the tender process that led to Lindsayca/CH 4 being hired and the company’s inexperience, tainted track record and appointment of Project Director, Ruben Figuera- a former PDVSA executive under the Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela.
Over the past week Kaieteur News has reported extensively on the procurement process where cheaper bids were ignored by the government of Guyana to engage the company which submitted the highest bid and demonstrated a troubling financial position.
As the price tag on the venture continues to balloon, this newspaper exposed the luxury flights being chartered by the company to not only transport its executives on a weekly basis, but to import materials for the project at a much higher rate.
Back in December 2024 the US EXIM Bank gave its approval for a US$527M loan to support the gas development at Wales.
Meanwhile, President Dr. Irfaan Ali also held a working lunch with Jovanovic, and his delegation at State House Thursday to discuss current and future projects.
Discussions centred on strengthening relationships, the gas-to-energy project and other ongoing projects the bank is supporting in Guyana. President Ali and Mr. Jovanovic also discussed areas of priority, including food security, government efficiency and security for Guyana’s development. President Ali was joined by several members of his Cabinet and Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan. US Ambassador to Guyana, HE Nicole Theriot also attended the meeting.
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Sir. Ronald Sanders
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Hon. DR Irfaan Ali, Greetings! I have A Very Important Question, re: After All The Very Negative Reports, on Mr. Ruben Figuera: Will he Still Be Head of The Wales GTE Project? Thanks, for A Reply! Concerned 🇬🇾!