Statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The recent accusations made in the media by opposition member Mr Khemraj Ramjattan regarding the Government of Guyana’s ‘cover-up’ of financial misconduct in costs preferred by the Stabroek Block operator for its Guyana operations are both unfounded and outlandish.
The Government has stated very clearly in our recent press statement that the report is still being reviewed and that all details are being verified. It is not a final report. There is absolutely no concealment on the side of the government. The PPP/C Government promotes the principles of transparency and accountability. This matter was clarified by Vice President Jagdeo at his recent Press Conference.
Further, this report has been worked on and seen by many technical officers from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Revenue Authority under both the APNU/AFC and PPP/C Administrations, thereby nullifying the argument put forward by Mr. Ramjattan.
Lest we forget, one must be reminded that it was the APNU/AFC team including Mr. Ramjattan that surreptitiously kept the US$18M signing bonus from the people; plundered the public coffer during the 18 months of illegal government; gifted themselves expensive tokens, etc. I do not think the opposition is in any honourable position to comment on financial irregularities.
On the contrary, this administration has taken numerous steps to ensure the integrity of its petroleum sector, including the strengthening and implementation of robust regulatory frameworks to promote and maintain our tenets of accountability and transparency. The government has taken a cautious, deliberate and bold approach to the development of the petroleum sector, seeking to balance the potential benefits of increased revenues with the need to protect the long-term interests of the country and its citizens.
This government is unequivocally committed to transparency and accountability in the management of the nation’s petroleum sector, as well as to the prudent allocation of resources to benefit all Guyanese citizens.
