Latest update October 11th, 2026 10:40 AM
Fuel licences to GWI boss, partners were granted in five weeks – says GEA
There are more startling details emerging over the grant of a fuel import and wholesale licence to a company that was formed just three months before the historic May 11, 2015 elections. 
The company, Atlantic Fuels Inc., was created in February 2015 and the registered directors of the company were Andron Alphonso and Ronaldo Alphonso. Andron and Ronaldo are sons of mining magnate Alfro Alphonso.
Interestingly, when the APNU+AFC coalition won the May 11 elections, documents were suddenly filed in early June by the said company at the Commercial Registry, which added Dr. Richard Van-West Charles and one Lear Goring as new directors. Dr. Van-West Charles is a prominent official with strong ties to the Coalition Government.
According to the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Atlantic Fuels Inc. applied for the fuel import and wholesale licence on September 28, 2015.
One week later, Van-West Charles was appointed head of the GWI. Lear Goring, was then hired by Van-West Charles as GWI’s Manager of the Debt Recovery Unit. In less than five weeks after starting his job as Chief Executive of GWI, licences for import and storage of fuel for the company were approved by the GEA. This was on November 5, 2015.
The licences, both the import and storage ones, have raised eyebrows because of the timeline, among other things.
The GWI boss this week on Wednesday insisted that the licences do not raise a conflict of interest situation at his work place. He had also insisted that the application for the licences was made since February 2015, when the coalition was still in Opposition. But statements from GEA have since proven otherwise.
Van-West Charles, a former Minister under the administration of the People’s National Congress, prior to 1992, said that as a private citizen, he is allowed to do business. He pointed out that he does not supply fuel to GWI or any GWI-affiliated entity.
The David Granger administration, since coming to power last May, promised a host of reforms to reduce corruption. It has been under intense scrutiny, especially with contracts and licences issued. At least two ministers have faced pressure for contracts and coziness to a number of questionable companies.
With fuel being one of the most lucrative of business in Guyana, rivaling gold for generating cash, licences have been a coveted thing for businessmen wanting to enter the trade.
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This is called ‘efficiency’. So?
KN, if you think something is wrong here, why look at the applicants only? Anyone should be able to apply for a license. What about the person or persons who granted it? They are not even mentioned. Are they being protected? You are being biased, KN. Give us the whole story and let us decide. Don’t disseminate information in a way to cause animosity that may lead to revenge. As a leading newspaper, your reports influence many.
It was wrong then and it’s wrong now ……..he needs to decide if he will have such close ties to his company or his job
Was transparency rules followed?
Are we going to justify every question by saying the PPP did worse
Are we going to justify this by pointing out that the PPP did worse?