“Major” shakeup likely at GFC

Jul 08, 2016 News

“As Minister I act through the Board,” said Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman as he noted that he is expecting a major shakeup at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).
Trotman recently told Kaieteur News that the Board of GFC has formed a sub-committee and is currently reviewing the damning forensic audit report, as well as all contracts signed by the Commission.
Trotman said that the Board in carrying out its review is “aware of government’s policy to have a sanitization. But as Minister I am not identifying any company to say this one or that one. The Board will do its job.
“I have asked the Board to give a full report on all those matters highlighted. The Board has a copy of the audit report and I will be guided by the collective decision of those Board members.”
Trotman continued, “A Minister has a board so that there can be an arm’s length and objective relationship with the Commission. As Minister I act through the Board.”
The GFC forensic Audit Report has been quite revealing. It highlighted many instances of malpractice and acts that do not conform with the laws that govern GFC’s existence.
The auditor, Anand Goolsarran made several recommendations for changes at several levels within GFC.
Goolsarran said that given the detailed responsibilities of the Commission for ensuring that Guyana’s forest resources are sustainably managed and conserved as well as for encouraging the development and growth of forestry, consideration should be given to the appointment of a full-time Chairman to oversee the management of the organization, and to lend additional support to its efficient and effective functioning, without getting involved in policy execution.
With the controversial logging company, Baishanlin, Goolsarran said, “since the company had not fulfilled its obligations under SFEP 01/2011, and given the fact that the Forests Act does not permit a renewal of such a permit at the end of three years, SFEP 01/2011 is no longer valid. Accordingly, the related State forest should be returned to the Commission for reallocation. In addition, the Government of Guyana should consider terminating the investment agreements with the company and recover the value of the fiscal concessions granted to it. Since the Forests Act prohibits the transfer of ownership/control of a forest concession without the specific approval of the Commission, the five concessionaires that have transferred such ownership/control to officials of Baishanlin, should be made to surrender their concessions to the Commission for reallocation to other potential concession.”

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