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NICIL Chairman takes issue with Kaieteur News

Sep 15, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
A few days ago, I wrote a letter concerning Kaieteur News’ distorted interpretation of my reference to the “strictly confidential” nature of the Marriott Agreements that were signed by the last administration. Today, I am forced to once again write, this time taking serious objection to the way you took totally out of context a reference that NICIL had made concerning SARU in its press release of 3rd September, 2016.
In the said press release (from which your newspaper made only very selective extracts) NICIL referred verbatim to certain major and specific observations/recommendations made by the forensic auditor and provided information to the public on where it had reached in its operational and policy reform process.
Among the areas mentioned in the press release, was the outstanding US$5m.GT&T share issue (currently receiving the attention of contracted international lawyers) and NICIL’s stated policy response to the effect that “no new contract will include terms for payment by instalments. Full payment of the purchase price must be effected before possession and/or transfer of ownership will be allowed”.
The press release then went on to make reference to the forensic auditor’s recommendation to “refer this report (Forensic Audit Report) to the State Assets Recovery Unit with a view to recovering any State assets/properties that might have been improperly and illegally transferred to third parties”. NICIL’s comment on this recommendation of the forensic auditor was as follows: “SARU is conducting its own investigations and is yet to formally advise the NICIL Board on its progress”. The day after NICIL made its press release, Kaieteur News came out with the screaming headline that NICIL “passes blame on status of GTT shares to SARU”. At the time, I chose to ignore (perhaps unwisely) such an utterly misleading interpretation of NICIL’s press release.
It is this irresponsible and truly misleading (sic) reporting of Kaieteur News that has led us to a situation where the newspaper can report that “SARU Head accuses NICIL boss of misleading the nation”. I doubt whether Kaieteur News, in its eagerness to pit officials against one another and promote controversy, ever sent a copy of NICIL’s press release to Dr. Clive Thomas.
Maurice Odle (Dr.)
Chairman – NICIL Board of Directors

Editor’s note:
There are a few worrying remarks by the NICIL Chairman which must be addressed.
In his first press release to this publication, Dr. Odle never mentioned that the outstanding US$5m on the GTT shares is attracting the attention of “contracted international lawyers” as he now claims.
Contrary to Dr. Odle’s insinuations, the SARU Head, Dr. Clive Thomas is aware of the press statement that was sent to Kaieteur News. In fact, a discussion was held on every aspect of the press release with particular reference to the GTT shares which Dr. Odle still claims that SARU is yet to formally advise the Board on.
The SARU Head during his interview said that he was under no obligation to advise NICIL in the GTT matter. Dr Thomas added that NICIL has never been in contact with SARU on the matter so it is “bizarre” that NICIL could be waiting to be “formally” advised.
Kaieteur News has no agenda to pit any official against the other or to promote controversy as Dr. Odle contends.
The NICIL Chairman still fails to address the questions a pertinent asked by Dr. Thomas.
WHEN WILL DR. ODLE SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE GTT SHARES, BROUGHT BACK BY THE MINSTER OF STATE FROM HIS CHINA TRIP?
It is interesting that Dr. Odle chose to avoid this aspect of Dr. Thomas’ response.

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