GUYANA | MP Roysdale Forde writes Natural Resources Minister seeking investigative report into oil audit controversy

GEORGETOWN,  Guyana, Octyober 11, 2023 - Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs, Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde, wants information on the professional competence of the Senior Petroleum Coordinator at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Gopnauth ‘Bobby’ Gossai. He has written to  both the Oil Minister Vickram Bharrat and the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson Snr., seeking information.

Forde has written to Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat seeking a copy of the investigative report on Gossai’s actions and his employment contract.

He further asked Minister Bharrat to clarify the measures taken in response to the unauthorized negotiations—including disciplinary actions and policy changes—and any additional preventative steps.

Forde says he expects a response to these requests within seven days to facilitate a comprehensive review.

Gossai has recently come under scrutiny for allegedly mishandling an audit related to significant expenses accrued by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited in the Stabroek Block from 1999 to 2017.

The audit, originally conducted by the British firm IHS Markit in 2019, examined US$1.7 billion in expenses. 

The auditors concluded that the Guyanese government could justifiably request a return of US$214 million from Exxon, as the multinational corporation failed to adequately account for the use of these funds. 

This assessment received a “no-objection” from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), which acts as the government’s advisor on such financial matters.

Despite GRA’s subsequent advice for the audit to be closed and for Exxon to be duly informed of the disputed sum, the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Petroleum Unit negotiated with Exxon to reduce the amount from US$214 million to a mere US$3 million.

This reduction was later acknowledged by the ministry as an unauthorized action, leading to impending disciplinary action against Gossai.

It is against this  background that Forde wants the Commissioner to preserve public trust in the employment processes and contractual terms for pivotal roles like that of Gossai.

Forde, who wants this information to be furnished within three-weeks, has asked for  a detailed job description for the Head of the Petroleum Unit, outlining the powers, responsibilities, and duties inherent to the position.

This, Forde said, will aid in evaluating the competency and appropriateness of the appointed individual for the role.

The Legal Affairs Shadow Minister also wants to understand the selection process for the unit’s head, asking for details on advertisements for the position, required qualifications, interview procedures, and information on the selection panel.

He also inquired whether Gossai’s remuneration package adhered to the standard governmental approval processes, regulations, and policies.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has laid full blame for the oil audit controversy at the feet of the Head of the Petroleum Unit, Bobby Gossai.

The controversy erupted after information became known that the Ministry of Natural Resources through the Petroleum Unit had slashed the US$214 million in questionable oil costs to just over US$3million.

It was the Guyana Revenue Authority in its audit that flagged the US$214 million that Exxon was claiming. The reduction was reportedly done after a meeting between Exxon and the Petroleum Unit Head.

In laying blame at the Head of the Petroleum Unit for the massive reduction in questionable expenses, Minister of Natural Resurces, Vickram Bharrat in a statement said it was the Head of the Petroleum Unit, Bobby Gossai who advised on the reduction.

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