Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Raphael Trotman believes that before any Venezuela-built road or gas pipeline is allowed to pass through Guyana, that country must renounce its claim to the Essequibo.

His comments came in the wake of continuing reports that the Spanish-speaking country is pushing the project for the gas pipeline across the north of South America and a road through Guyana’s west.

The pipeline was raised at a recent Petrocaribe meeting that Guyana attended and the road has been floated in the context of the South America infrastructure project.

Trotman told Stabroek News yesterday that he plans to raise the issue with the local political parties and will write President Bharrat Jagdeo this week on it. He said that while Venezuela is seen as a friend, the outstanding issue of the controversy over the Essequibo must be resolved before any such project is approved. He added that the issue is one that should concern all Guyanese.