1. Purpose

This policy outlines Guyana-Business.Com T/A Gateway-Guyana Holdings Incorporated ("Gateway-Guyana") commitment to conducting effective and compliant public consultations for Oil and Gas projects in Guyana, ensuring that stakeholder engagement is meaningful, transparent, and aligned with legal and industry best practices.

2. Objectives

This policy aims to:

Provide a framework for planning, conducting, and documenting public consultations.
Ensure compliance with all applicable Guyanese laws and regulations related to public consultations in the Oil and Gas sector.
Facilitate meaningful engagement with stakeholders, including indigenous communities, local residents, and civil society organizations.
Promote transparency and accountability in the consultation process.
Gather and incorporate stakeholder feedback into project decision-making.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all Gateway-Guyana employees, subcontractors, and consultants involved in planning, conducting, or managing public consultations for Oil and Gas projects in Guyana.

4. Guiding Principles

Early and Continuous Engagement: Initiate consultation activities early in the project lifecycle and maintain ongoing communication with stakeholders throughout the project.
Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensure that consultation activities are accessible to all stakeholders, including those with disabilities, limited literacy, or residing in remote areas. Provide information in appropriate languages and formats.
Transparency and Information Sharing: Provide clear, accurate, and timely information about the project, its potential impacts, and the consultation process. Make relevant documents readily available to the public.
Meaningful Dialogue: Create opportunities for genuine two-way communication with stakeholders, actively listening to their concerns and incorporating their feedback into project planning and decision-making.
Respect for Indigenous Rights: Recognize and respect the rights of indigenous communities, including their right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) for projects that may affect their lands, territories, and resources.
Documentation and Reporting: Maintain comprehensive records of all consultation activities, including meeting minutes, participant lists, feedback received, and how stakeholder input was considered in project decisions.

5. Consultation Procedures

Planning: Develop a detailed consultation plan that outlines the objectives, scope, timeline, methodology, and resources for the consultation process.
Stakeholder Identification and Analysis: Identify all relevant stakeholder groups and assess their interests, concerns, and potential influence on the project.
Communication and Engagement: Utilize a variety of communication channels to reach stakeholders, including public meetings, workshops, focus groups, online platforms, and written materials.
Feedback Mechanisms: Provide multiple avenues for stakeholders to provide feedback, such as comment forms, surveys, interviews, and public hearings.
Grievance Mechanism: Establish a clear and accessible process for stakeholders to raise concerns or grievances related to the project or the consultation process.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly monitor the effectiveness of the consultation process and evaluate its outcomes to identify areas for improvement.

6. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Gateway-Guyana will comply with all applicable Guyanese laws and regulations related to public consultations, including those outlined in the Environmental Protection Act, the Amerindian Act, and any other relevant legislation.

7. Continuous Improvement

Gateway-Guyana is committed to continuous improvement in our public consultation practices. We will regularly review this policy and our consultation procedures to ensure they remain effective and compliant.

8. Contact Information

For any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact Gateway-Guyana's QHSSE Compliance department at

Email: qhsse@guyana-business.com

Phone: ⁦+44 20 3920 7433

Guyana-Business.Com Ltd is incorporated in England and Wales under Company number 15692259 as a private limited company with its registered office at 3 Charles Pym Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 9RY, United Kingdom.

Gateway-Guyana Holdings Incorporated is registered in Guyana under Company number 16209 as a private limited company with its registered office at E½ LOT 3 Bent Street, North Freeburg, Georgetown, Guyana.

This document may contain confidential information and/or copyright material.

Any unauthorized use may be unlawful. If you received this document by mistake, please advise the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your email software.