GuyOil ‘fuel scandal’: Gov’t will take action against those found culpable – Dr Singh asserts
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, on Friday asserted that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government has a zero-tolerance policy for corrupt practices.
He made the comments on Friday, in direct response to questions regarding the fuel scandal allegations at the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) which led to the resignation of its newly appointed General Manager, Trevor Basso.
Dr Singh made it clear that with an audit being undertaken by the Auditor-General, Deodat Sharma, once confirmation of wrongdoings is received, all parties responsible will face combined actions.
“We have absolutely no tolerance in this government for any corrupt practices.
“We would be guided by the results of the Auditor General and I assure you that we will take combined action against any parties, who might have been, in the event of any inappropriate practices being identified,” Dr Singh told the press.
Allegations had surfaced in the media on Tuesday of a million-dollar fuel scandal involving the General Manager, who has since denied the claims.
A subsequent release from GUYOIL refuted the allegations made by Aaron Realty Inc. (ARI) that they were contracted to supply fuel by GuyOil and that there were “kickbacks involved”.
But GuyOil had noted that there was no truth to the allegations and clarified that whilst ARI was one of a number of companies which GuyOil had discussions on the possible supply of fuel, the oil company, did not at any time entered into a contract with them.
Same was relayed to him, Dr Singh said after meeting with the company Board.
“The Board repeatedly emphasised that there is no contract with the company in question and while there may have been by some officials connected to the company, there might have been some communication with the company, but there was no contract concluded with the company at any point in time.”
Following Basso’s resignation, a sub-committee of the Board of Directors has been appointed to oversee the day-to-day operations of GuyOil.
