GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — President David Granger has reiterated his government’s commitment to the development of the country’s oil and gas sector, promising that there will be an atmosphere of transparency and trust.

Granger made the statement during a meeting on Wednesday with a visiting delegation of ExxonMobil Executives to discuss matters related to the status of exploratory and appraisal work in the Stabroek Block.

“We are committed to the norm of transparency, so that we can move forward at a domestic level, not only in an atmosphere of transparency but truest, so that all Guyana would see this is not a short term bonanza; so that Guyanese will see this as a national industry… In this regard we are walking step by step as the developments take place offshore and the developments in terms of our legislations within our regulatory framework in terms of the passage of information to various stakeholders in Guyana and the Diaspora so that we can create an environment, which is stable and secure,” the president said.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, said the meeting is part of an ongoing dialogue that aims to strengthen the relationship between Guyana and ExxonMobil. “As we progress together we have to do so in an open and transparent way being mindful that we are in a parliamentary democracy. We have to ensure that the opposition is made aware of what is happening and other stakeholders,” the minister said.

President of the ExxonMobil Exploration Company, Stephen Greenlee said that the discussions with Granger were very fruitful and they look forward to a strengthened productive and transparent relationship.

“It was a very positive meeting. We are all very happy that we have such a cordial relationship with the government; a very productive and transparent relationship,” he said.