Brassington leads UG tour of controversial Wales Gas-to-Energy project

May 21, 2026 News

Students of the University of Guyana’ Faculty of Engineering and Technology.

(Kaieteur News) – Even as university students were led Wednesday on what officials described as an “educational visit” to the controversial Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project, critics continue to raise concerns about the lack of accountability, ballooning costs, and secrecy surrounding the multi-billion-dollar initiative now being overseen by former NICIL head, Winston Brassington.

The Office of the Prime Minister, through the Gas-to-Energy Task Force, facilitated the visit for approximately 70 students and lecturers from the University of Guyana Faculty of Engineering and Technology to the Wales, West Bank Demerara project site.

Head of the Wales GTE task force, Winston Brassington

Brassington, who headed the delegation, briefed students on the development and touted the initiative as central to Guyana’s “energy and industrial transformation.” However, the visit comes against the backdrop of years of public criticisms over the handling of the project, including repeated concerns highlighted by Kaieteur News regarding transparency, procurement irregularities, escalating costs, and the absence of detailed public scrutiny.

Kaieteur News has reported extensively on the GTE project’s swelling price tag, which has climbed from initial estimates of approximately US$900 million to well over US$2 billion when associated infrastructure and financing costs are included. Questions have also persisted about the awarding of contracts, changes in project scope, and the government’s refusal to release key feasibility and financial documents to the public.

The re-emergence of Brassington at the helm of another major state project has also reignited debate over accountability for past state transactions executed during his tenure at the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), where billions in state assets and revenues were managed amid years of controversy and criticism from opposition parties and transparency advocates.

Despite those concerns, Wednesday’s visit was framed by officials as an opportunity to expose students to “world-class engineering.”

Dean of the Faculty and Presidential Advisor on Tertiary Education Reform, Kofi Dalrymple, described the project as “transformational,” while lecturers and project officials pointed to the opportunities emerging from Guyana’s rapid industrial expansion.

Project Manager of Linsayca, Luis Pirela, told students that Guyana is now “one of the hottest places in the world” for development, noting that major international engineering firms are currently operating in the country.

Students were exposed to various aspects of the facility, including civil infrastructure works, energy systems, industrial engineering applications, and construction operations.

Also present during the tour was Senior Petroleum Coordinator within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Bobby Gossai Jr.

But while officials continue to showcase the project’s technical promise, critics maintain that unanswered questions surrounding cost management, oversight, and public accountability remain far from resolved.

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Engineering and Technology, Tour, UG, University of Guyana, Wales gas-to-energy project

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