Forde requests Gossai’s Employment Contract from Ramson Sr; office given no later than three weeks to provide info

Shadow Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Roysdale Forde S.C, has written Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson Snr., requesting access to the Employment Contract between Gopnauth ‘Bobby’ Gossai, Senior Petroleum Coordinator in the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Government of Guyana, along with other pertinent information. In a crisp letter, Forde told Ramson Snr.-also an attorney- access to the contract will aid the public in determining Gossai’s suitability for the job, particularly given the reported loss of billions in revenue to the Guyanse people on his watch. Reportedly US$214,911,994 relating to the audit of Exxon’s expenses was ultimately reduced to US$3,414,853.68, emerging from discussion with the company and the Ministry’s Petroleum Unit.

IHS Markit, which was commissioned to audit US$1.7 billion in Stabroek Block expenses submitted by ExxonMobil, flagged the discrepancy. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the agency responsible for overseeing the audit, agreed with IHS Markit’s determination that US$214 million of those expenses were questionable and therefore disputed. The audit is important to determine the expenses Exxon seeks to recover, which forms part of the company’s agreement with the Government of Guyana.

Reacting to mounting public outrage on the issue, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government has engaged in various somersaults of what transpired and possible approaches to determinate accountability for short changing the Guyanese people. The most recent being a statement issued last Thursday by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, who said “after examining all the facts it is clear that Mr. Gossai acted without the requisite authorisation to engage EEPGL [ExxonMobil Guyana] and provided inadequate advice and as such, I have asked the Permanent Secretary to take the necessary disciplinary measures.”

But Forde is not “falling for that excuse.” The senior counsel told Village Voice News the PPP/C government has the worst record on transparency and accountability in the history of independent Guyana. According to the parliamentarian, Guyanese have not forgotten the millions of United States dollars wasted through corrupt projects like Skeldon Factory, Amaila Falls, fibre optic cable, and so forth, and that it was “under the PPP government Guyana was ranked, by Transparency International, as the most corrupt country in the English-speaking Caribbean.” Guyanese can leave nothing to chance with the PPP/C or trust their words, he declared. “Every time Guyanese think the PPP could get no worse, they push the boundary of criminality and untrustworthiness, which we must collectively expose and bring an end to. Hence my letter to Mr. Ramson Snr.”

Forde, whose letter is dated after the minister’s statement, has communicated to the commissioner of information his interest in having access to Gossai’s employment contract, the selection process, job description and remuneration package. According to senior counsel the requested information will enable careful evaluation of the processes through which Gossai was “appointed and ensure that it was conducted in a fair, transparent, and merit-based manner. In addition, it will allow for a fair and objective assessment of the terms of employment and ensure they align with industry standards and public interest.”

The letter follows:-

The Honourable Charles Ramson Snr.,

Commissioner of Information,

Office of the Commissioner of information,

East Street,

North Cummings burg,

Georgetown.

Dear Honourable Commissioner Ramson,

Subject:    Request for employment Contract- Senior Petroleum Coordinator at the Ministry of Natural Resources.

I hope this letter finds you well. As the Shadow Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of Guyana, it is my responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability within Government.  In line with this, I am writing to request access to the Employment Contract between Mr. Gopnauth ‘Bobby’ Gossai, Senior Petroleum Coordinator in the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Government of Guyana.

Having previously served as a distinguished Justice of the Appellate Court, I am confident in your commitment to upholding the principles of justice and the importance of transparency in Government affairs. Therefore, I kindly request your assistance in obtaining the requested information.

As you are aware, the Petroleum industry plays a significant role in the economic development of our country- Guyana. It is crucial for the public to have confidence in the hiring process and terms of employment for such a significant position, particularly in circumstances where there are serious lingering questions about the unauthorised negotiations between himself and ExxonMobil to reduce USD$214,911,994 to USD$3, 414,853.68. To facilitate a thorough review, I kindly ask that you provide me with the following information:

1. Employment Contract: A copy of the Employment Contract or Agreement between the Government and Mr. Gopnauth ‘Bobby’ Gossai, Senior Petroleum Coordinator in the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Government of Guyana. This would include any clauses related to the terms of employment, compensation, benefits and duration of the Contract.
2. Job Description: A detailed job description setting out the powers, responsibilities and duties assigned to the head of the Petroleum Unit. This will assist in evaluating the competency and relevance of the appointed individual.
3. Selection Process: Information regarding the process employed to select the head of the Unit including details of any advertisements, requisite qualifications, interview procedures, and the selection panel involved.
4. Remuneration Approval: Confirmation that the remuneration package for the Mr. Gossia received the necessary approvals in accordance with governmental standards, regulations and policies.

Access to this information will enable a careful evaluation of the processes through which the head of the Petroleum Unit, Mr. Gossai was appointed and ensure that it was conducted in a fair, transparent, and merit- based manner. In addition, it will allow for a fair and objective assessment of the terms of employment and ensure they align with industry standards and public interest.

I kindly ask that you provide the requested information within three (3) weeks from the date of this Letter, in order to facilitate an efficient and thorough evaluation.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Roysdale Forde S.C, M.P

Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs