A forensic audit of GFC is needed

Apr 04, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

Since taking office in August 2020, the new administration, quite rightly took stock of several Ministries/Commissions, notably the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure; the Demerara Harbour Bridge’s Asphalt Plant, and the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC). The audit revealed mass irregularities and fraud involving former government ministers and senior officials; however, no mention of an audit of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), a revenue collecting agency unable to pay staff in 2019/2020.
Over a decade ago, a prominent saw milling enterprise was found in possession of exporting seals/stamps of GFC and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). That matter was swept through the “backdoor” to my knowledge without any investigation. The parliamentary opposition will not demand an audit of GFC; it will reveal their incompetence and skullduggery during their period 2015-2020.
Lately, the Honourable Minister of Natural Resources spoke of increasing the availability of state forest to local and foreign investors for exportation; glossed GFC of issuing 300 sawmill licences annually over the past 10 years. A check with GFC reveals that instructions were given to withhold information regarding the amount of operable sawmills; relevant information for the public should not be suppressed.
Is the Honourable minister deceptive or purposely misled? I hope it’s neither. GFC must clarify the amount of operable sawmills. Should the administration fail to enforce an audit of GFC, this will only influence the thought that government and opposition are in collusion of protecting their maladministration from exposure.
A forensic audit of GFC is needed.

Sincerely,
Gerald Schomburgh

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News