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We can only be accused of transparency

Aug 11, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

We have taken note of the statement made by Minister Gail Teixeira to the effect that some $4 billion were left in the accounts of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and are unaccounted for since the PPP/C demitted office in 2015.
As I chaired the Board from February 2016 to February 29 2020, I wish to respond to her erroneous statement. I am, however mindful of a few things at this juncture.
1. The current administration has appointed a team in the personages of Messrs. Nascimento, Ram and Hinds to do an analysis of the period from when the administration changed hands in 2015 to the present. It is not within my professional culture, nor my understanding of things, to speak in any detail before their report is submitted. This, in spite of television interviews with Messrs Hamilton and Dharamlall that sought to impugn my character during the election campaign.
2. There was a forensic audit undertaken by Mr. Anand Goolsarran in 2015 when the PPP/C demitted office. That report and the GFC’s response to it have been posted on the GFC’s website for some time now. The public can read it and draw their own conclusions. The relevant links can be found on the website: www.forestry.gov.gy.
https://www.forestry.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/GFC_Forensic_Audit_2015.pdf
https://www.forestry.gov.gy/wpcontent/uploads/2016/04/GFC_Management_Response_to_Forensic_Audit_2016_1_14.pdf
3. The books of the GFC are subject to audit by the Auditor General and are submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources along with the GFC’s annual report. These are required by law, to be tabled in Parliament.
4. I am more than happy to speak to my record when it is appropriate to do so. As you know, during the years of my tenure, the Commission and the Board have ensured that information is available to the press and stakeholders, and have responded promptly and openly to all requests for information over these past years. We could, I suggest, only be accused of transparency.

Jocelyn Dow

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