Eric Phillips confirms resignation from SARA over conflict of interest

Eric Phillips, who served as Special Assistant to the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) has confirmed his resignation from the Agency, saying he believes it is the best solution for both SARA, himself and the country.

His resignation follows revelations of his interest in the petroleum industry at a time when SARA is investigating the award of oil blocks.

He accused the media of creating confusion between the dates and especially between the African Business Roundtable (ABR) and ABR Oil & Gas.

He said this “gives rise to the perception of a conflict, therefore a conflict exists.”

Phillips claimed he was not actively involved in ABR Oil & Gas since 2016 when the company applied for one of the remaining blocks in 2016.

“I was not involved in the application process as there was a separate Management Team responsible for that company,” he stated.

He said the application for the block was never responded to by the Government of Guyana or the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission since 2016, although an award was made by the Government in 2017 to Tullow for the Orinduik block, therefore indicating the ABR Oil & Gas application was passed over.

Phillips said that ABR Oil and Gas is a separate entity from African Business Roundtable, of which he became President in 2018. He described ABR as a business service orgainzation similar to the Private Sector Commission or the Guyana Manufacturers Association or the Chinese Business Association.