By Mark DaCosta- The Alliance For Change (AFC) has sharply criticised the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government over the stalled Enmore Manufacturing Facility, demanding answers on why the project has failed to materialise as promised. Nearly three years after the grand announcement in 2022, the AFC argues that the government’s failure to deliver on the promised industrial hub for oil and gas services raises questions about political cronyism and a lack of accountability.
The AFC’s states that concerns stem from the government’s handling of the Enmore project, a joint venture between Guysons K+B Industries Inc. (GKB) and the state. Initially hailed as a US$37.5 million investment that would create hundreds of jobs and revitalise the East Coast Corridor, the facility was set to manufacture and repair tubular goods to support the booming oil and gas sector. However, the AFC points out that despite the early fanfare and promises of significant economic benefits, the site remains largely undeveloped.
When the facility was first announced, GKB committed to creating 150 jobs in the first year and 500 by year five. Yet, as the AFC highlights, these promises have yet to materialise. “Where is the facility that was supposed to change the landscape of Enmore, to employ and train hundreds, and to serve as a lifeline for local youth and laid-off sugar workers?” the AFC asked.
A key concern raised by the AFC is the lack of transparency surrounding the land deal. The government leased 55 acres of prime land to GKB for the facility. Observers have repeatedly questioned why the land, which was originally part of a sugar revival plan for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), was given away without sufficient explanation. “The PPP government leased 55 acres of prime land, practically handing it to GKB on a silver platter,” the AFC states. The lack of clarity over the lease terms, including the cost of the land and the specific conditions of the agreement, has raised suspicions by numerous commentators.
The AFC suggests that the project may have been more about rewarding political allies than about economic development. GKB’s connections to known PPP supporters have led the AFC to speculate that the Enmore project could be another example of government favouritism. “This delay… raises questions about who truly benefits from these deals,” the AFC states.
Moreover, the AFC points out that the project was originally positioned as a solution to the struggles faced by Enmore residents, particularly youth and those laid off from the sugar industry. The promise of new jobs and skills training was central to the government’s pitch. Yet, the AFC notes, the lack of progress means that none of these promises have been fulfilled. The government’s failure to hold GKB accountable for the project’s delays is a central point of the AFC’s criticism.
The AFC is also concerned about the wider impact the project’s delay could have on the country. Originally, the land was part of a government effort to revitalise GuySuCo and stabilise the sugar sector, which has been in decline for years. The sudden shift of this land to industrial use is puzzling.
“The Enmore location itself was peculiar. The site was originally designated for sugar revival efforts… Yet, seemingly overnight, this land — publicly funded and valued — was leased to a private joint venture,” the AFC states.
The AFC stresses the importance of transparency and accountability, particularly when it comes to public land and resources. The government, they argue, must explain why the Enmore Manufacturing Facility has failed to meet its deadlines and why there has been no visible progress on the site. “With national resources and taxpayer money at stake, Guyanese citizens deserve answers,” the AFC says.
The opposition party also points out that the government’s silence on the issue has been deafening. Despite repeated inquiries from the public and media, there have been no clear updates on the status of the facility or the progress of the project. The AFC’s statement raises the question: If the government is truly committed to creating jobs and diversifying the economy, why has the Enmore Manufacturing Facility been allowed to stagnate?
The lack of progress at Enmore stands in stark contrast to the bold promises made by the government. The AFC’s concerns appear to be not just about the failure to deliver on a project, but about the potential misuse of national resources for political gain. As the AFC emphasises, “The project that was supposed to create jobs, provide skills training, and increase commercial activity for the community has stalled, leaving locals to wonder: was this simply a political favour in disguise?”