GGMC’s Chairman racks up staggering $4M food, drinks bill in 18 months

Dec 03, 2015 News

-spent average $200,000 monthly
Since taking up the top position of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) last year, Chairman, Clinton Williams, racked up entertainment expenses of almost $4M in 18 months.

GGMC’ Chairman, Clinton Williams

According to figures detailing the expenses between January 2014 and up to just before the elections in May 2015, he spent $3,984,948 in three restaurants – Silhouette Restaurant (JR Enterprise) in Kitty; 704 Sports Bar on Lamaha Street and Brasil Churrascari and Pizzaria, Alexander Street, Lacytown.
The figures are raising eyebrows. For example, in February last year, over $650,000 was spent on meals and beverages at the 704 Sports Bar. There was no explanation.
Earlier in 2014, some investors in Trinidad met at Silhouette. The bill came up to $311,163. It appeared that the then Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud, was present at the meeting, according to the details.
In May 2014, over $100,000 was spent in dinner alone.
There was a buffet dinner at Silhouette in October for $568,397. That same month, another one was held with the bill amounting to $420,297.
None of the Silhouette Restaurant bills were below $15,000.
The entertainment expenses last year alone charged to GGMC was $3,142,862.
This year, just before the elections, more than $840,000 was spent on food and drinks.
In April, meals supplied for a particular occasion was almost $200,000 with more than $100,000 spent for dinner one day in February.
GGMC is facing fire for its management of the country’s mining and other natural resources, excluding forestry.
A number of reports had pointed fingers at possible wrongdoings, staff shortages and discrimination with miners and lands.
Miners themselves have been complaining about GGMC’s monitoring of the mining camps.
Williams had ordered an investigation and led a vote of no confidence against the GGMC Commissioner, Rickford Vieira, and others.
Vieira, according to a source in the GGMC, had restricted the spending by Williams. This happened after the elections which led to a change in the administration.
Vieira was sent on administrative leave by Minister Raphael Trotman, pending a review.