Is Brassington the correct person for the job?

Sep 09, 2026 Letters

Dear Editor,

With the ongoing delays and cost overruns involving the multimillion USD project continuing to negatively impact the country’s energy bill, we must ask ourselves if Winston Brassington is the correct person for the job. Supplier selection has already created much controversy, bringing into question his judgment and his team’s due diligence capabilities.

In addition, one must also consider the current national security situation with Venezuela and that the controversial supplier chosen is well connected within Venezuela’s oil sector and government apparatus, both of which have taken a strong position against Guyana’s offshore oil claims. It would be in both their interests to slow down and even prevent the successful completion (on time, within budget and functioning correctly) of Guyana’s Gas to Energy (GTE) project.

Given the increasing controversy surrounding the GTE project we must as a nation seriously consider better alternatives including those that entail bringing in new companies for the completion of the project. Experienced, knowledgeable, and reputable firms from both the U.S. and China should be considered. The recent comments by a U.S. representative that raised concerns over the use of China in our nation’s development and the disagreeing response from China’s representative suggests that deescalation is needed. The GTE project presents an opportunity for our country to provide a major project where the U.S. and China can work together and possibly achieve cooperation once again. Global peace was accomplished in the past with table tennis in events known today as “ping-pong diplomacy”. Maybe a Guyanese energy project can have a similar impact. The GTE project may be just what the doctor ordered.

Speaking of doctors, the Brassington name has a strong heritage in Guyana thanks to the Chairmanship of GuySuCo and the strong academic achievement gained by future generations. After the previous arrest that included both Winston Brassington and Dr. Ashni Singh, one would expect that they would both exercise tremendous caution before getting their names further tainted in any alleged wrongdoing. Ashni has also built a name for himself thanks to the Trotz family which gave him the prestigious role as head prefect at our premier educational institution.

The Singh name was strengthened in Guyana as a result and most notably this occurred during a time when Indians were considered by many to be marginalised by the PNC. Maybe this has caused some reluctance by the PPPC to allow his entry into its inner circle of party leadership. However, it is in both Ashni and Winston’s best interest to have any doubts or questions raised concerning their integrity and the resulting negative impact this controversy may have on their families removed. The best way for them to accomplish this is to ensure that a thorough fiscal audit of the GTE project is carried out by an independent third party as soon as possible.

The Prime Minister has become a prominent figure thanks to his leadership in damage control in the MV Barima Tragedy and given that the GTE project falls under his management, it is now also necessary for him to step in and show leadership in achieving transparency, accountability and course correction. Jagdeo has once again gone silent when answers matter most and maybe this is a sign of the changing of the guard, but his influence remains strong within the Ali administration, leading many to suspect that there is a lot happening behind the scenes that should be brought into the public eye before accusations of another coverup begin to surface. But the question remains, is Winston the correct person for the job? Maybe or maybe not. The current evidence suggests that stronger leadership is urgently needed and changes are overdue in whom we use to carry the Gas-to-Energy project to completion.

With concern

Jamil Changlee

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One thought on “Is Brassington the correct person for the job?”

habeeb September 9, 2026 at 1:56 pm

For such a question, I think it’s a little late asking.
It is who you know and who knows you.
Qualification ?
That is a question for who knew you.

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