No way Atlantic Fuel Inc. could have satisfied requirements for fuel licences

Aug 22, 2016 News

– Former AG
It was revealed on Friday last that Atlantic Fuel Inc. was granted fuel import, storage and wholesale licenses a mere five weeks after applying to GEA for them. GWI Chief Executive Dr Richard Van-West Charles and Debt Recovery Unit manager, Lear Goring, are both listed as directors in the company.
But former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall who was the legal advisor to GEA for several years told Kaieteur News that he helped to “craft amendments to the GEA act and regulations.”
Nandlall said he has personal knowledge of the process and conditions that are required for an individual or a company to be granted licenses such as was granted to Atlantic Fuel Inc.
“These requirements are numerous and onerous,” the former AG said.
“The applicants have to satisfy a whole host of conditions in regard to storage facilities. There are requirements for the location of the storage bond, such as an Environmental permit; also an advertisement has to be placed in the newspapers so that persons living in the area can be notified.”
In addition to the Environmental permit, Nandlall stated that there has to be approval from the Fire Department, Public Health and the Local authority.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

“There is no way that these requirements and conditions could be satisfied in five weeks. There are legitimate fuel dealers who have been in the business for years and are not granted these licenses.”
He further pointed out that the Chinese company, China Zhonghao Inc spent US$ 1.5 Million in building a fuel storage facility and they had their license revoked.
“A member of the PNC, a senior state official, who is a part of this company being granted a license in mere weeks, raises some serious questions.”
“I am of the opinion that his name was inserted to use political clout.”
Nandlall posited that the things that the APNU was accusing PPP of are now being demonstrated by the current coalition government officials.
“Where is Transparency International? I’m not hearing from former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, where are the champions of righteousness?”
“I am convinced that if you check his (Van-West Charles) disclosure to the Integrity Commission, he did not state that he had an interest in the business or that he was part of a company.”
“I am convinced he never disclosed his interests to his employers, the Government of Guyana.”
“Do we know for a fact that he is not supplying fuel to GWI or any other government agency?”
“He owes the public a demonstration showing that he does not supply fuel to GWI. A bare denial cannot suffice in these circumstances.”
Nandlall stated “the grant of the licenses is ‘void ab initio’ (invalid from the outset) in law. The legal requirements were clearly not fulfilled.”

2 thoughts on “No way Atlantic Fuel Inc. could have satisfied requirements for fuel licences”

Lancelot Brassington August 22, 2016 at 1:31 am

There goes the senior counsel aspirant speaking from the high ground, trying to maintain a political profile and build a reputation as a legal scholar. Regardless of what he says, he will be remembered as the AG who endorsed terrorist action against a newspaper and solicited sexual partners for his uncle.
That does not mean that nothing he says should be taken seriously. I utterly reject the position that ‘they did it so why shouldn’t we?’.
Mr. Granger may find it necessary to adopt a zero tolerance policy on corruption the same as Kamla Persaud Bissessar did. She sent several tainted colleagues packing. Does he have the heart for it? Time will tell.
1. rs dasai August 22, 2016 at 12:55 pm
  
  Lanci.
  While you remember Mr. Nandalal as such, not all persons do. However, not owning a car does not prevent anyone from obtaining a licence to drive. Not owning a ‘storage facility’ should not prevent an individual from obtaining a licence to import unless , in this case, the obtaining of a licence is dependent on the applicant having ‘access’ to such facilities. There is no conflict here, unless other individuals have been denied such a licence under similar circumstances. And if such is the case, will the licence be revoked? why not?
  Or will the others be granted licences? Yes? P{lease leave the President’s heart out of this.