President David Granger wants to set up a Ministry of Energy but believes such an initiative can be explored after 2020.
His coalition government has already established a Department of Energy under the Ministry of the Presidency, headed by Dr Mark Bynoe.
President Granger indicated that within two years, the department may be capable of becoming an “efficient and effective ministry”.
“It probably would not be before 2020 that a full blown ministry could be established even if we wanted to do it … it would be a rush job,” he stated.
The Head-of-State noted that the Department of Energy is still in its early stages of getting organised and streamlining its functions which includes assembling a team of experts to deal with all matters related to the burgeoning oil and gas industry.
Among other things, the Department will be responsible for granting oil concessions and licences.
Effective August 1, 2018, the Department has taken over all oil and gas responsibilities from the Ministry of Natural Resources which is headed by Raphael Trotman.
