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Commissioner of Information yet to release oil and gas information requested by Alfred Bhulai
Two years later…
Kaieteur News- Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson SC has failed to deliver oil and gas information requested by prominent Guyanese Engineer and Energy Technologist, Alfred Bhulai, some two years ago.
Alfred Bhulai shared his experience in attempting to access information from the Commissioner of Information during a protest on Friday
Bhulai was among a number of other Guyanese that shared their experience in utilizing the Access to Information Act (2011) during an organized picket exercise, outside the Office of the Commissioner of Information on East Street, Georgetown on Friday.
He shared, “I tried to get information about the amount of oil and gas extracted and their analysis. This is vitally important information because our very safety depended on it. I couldn’t get it from the Ministry of Natural Resources. I couldn’t get it from the EPA. So, I eventually tried the Commission of Information.”
Bhulai explained that after reading the Act thoroughly, he found the Commissioner’s office where he met and spoke with Ramson. The former Science teacher recalled that the Commissioner was very cordial and helpful in guiding him on how to make the request for information.
After following the steps outlined, Bhulai submitted his application and received an acknowledgement from Ramson the next day. However, he noted, “Since then, nothing, and this is now two years – two years and nothing. The Act says in 30 days you should respond and acknowledge and approve or disapprove. He (Ramson) only acknowledged, and if after sixty days, there was no answer, the information will be deemed to be inaccessible.”
Bhulai believes that the Act is flawed, as it bestows the Commissioner with too much power. According to him, “That’s why I have here bad law. What I’m particularly disappointed about, the Commissioner has powers of discretion and Section 38 (of the Act) gives him the power, you know, in case, if he decides that there’s something, some danger to the health and safety, or some lack of public accountability, he can step in. But he never did it. I mean, I am extremely disappointed with the present Commission of Information.”
Over the past three weeks, protestors gathered outside the Commissioner’s office demanding that Ramson fulfill his duties in accordance with the Access to Information Act or vacate the office.
The activity was supported by the members of the press, Red Thread, Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI), Opposition Members of Parliament, lawyers and other members of civil society, including former Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine.
Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram who organized the protest pointed out that the Act has been in existence for about 14 years, with the Commissioner appointed for about 12 years, to no effect. He argued that the legislation and office has been non-functional, with Ramson failing to even submit Annual Reports to the National Assembly despite the Office being allocated some $40M annually.
On Friday, Ram explained that the next step will be to write President Irfaan Ali, seeking a meeting to discuss concerns relating to the Act and the failures of the Commissioner. Beyond that, the lawyer is prepared to take the matter to court and inform the regional and international community. He said these bodies have been misled and lied to by the Government of Guyana about the workings of the Access to Information Act.
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