Finance Minister orders investigation of GuyOil’s alleged fuel racket

… GM resigns, Police officers question

Trevor Bassoo, who was appointed GuyOil General Manager only in November, has since resigned even as Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh ordered a probe and for the Police to take part in an alleged alleged import racket.
Sources confirmed to this announcement that Bassoo has resigned, which was accepted by GuyOil’s Board of Directors. In addition, a source within Guyana Police confirmed that another senior officer was being questioned in relation to the alleged fuel import racket.

Reports had emerged that a businessman, Jason Aaron, was allegedly contracted by officials at GuyOil to bring in fuel on the promise of a kickoff. The businessman, however, claimed that GuyOil obtained a sweeter deal and subsequently canceled his arrangement, causing him to speak out.
According to the source, the officer told Police that Bassoo brought the matter to the attention of the company during an executive meeting and linked it. At the meeting, he said Bassoo presented evidence of the officer’s complicity in the form of WhatsApp printouts showing conversations between him and the businessman.
According to the official, he denied any role in the alleged racket during the meeting and claimed he had not had such conversations with Aaron. A Police source noted that excerpts of conversations between the officer and Aaron were removed from the officer’s phone but the alleged conversation was not found.

When contacted, GuyOil Chairman Paul Cheong was tight-lipped on the reasons for Bassoo’s resignation. However, in terms of the businessman’s story, Cheong pointed out that GuyOil has a transparent and accountable fuel sourcing system.
This announcement contacted Bassoo himself, who confirmed his resignation but was otherwise tight. According to him, however, he will seek legal advice on the matter. Bassoo also did a social media post where he labeled the allegations as propaganda.

Testing
Cheong subsequently released a statement on behalf of GuyOil, in which he denied the allegations made by Aaron of Aaron Realty Inc. (ARI). According to him, there is no truth in claims that GuyOil contracted the said company to supply fuel.
“GUYOIL wants to make it clear that while ARI is one of several companies that GUYOIL has had discussions on the potential fuel supply, GUYOIL has not entered into a contract with ARI at any time.”

The Chairman introduced a very complex process for the State entity purchasing fuel. The process includes competitive procurement, due diligence on the supplier, purchase order or contract, a nominal quantity sent to a supplier with the expected delivery date, a quality and quantity surveyor appointed to overlook the cargo loading and a certificate quality / compliance with technical specification produced.
He also noted that when GRA grants permission to unload the ship, the supplier must send a proforma invoice, signed certificate of origin / declaration that the product did not come from an embargoed country, details of the ship to be used , a detailed report on the ship’s load by an independent inspector and a rating bill for the loaded ship.
“The Board of Directors has met and briefed Dr Ashni Singh, a Senior Minister in the President’s Office with responsibility for Finance. The Minister has asked the Auditor General to be called in to investigate the allegations, ”Cheong also explained.
Meanwhile, with Bassoo gone, Cheong noted that a subcommittee of the Board of Directors has been appointed to oversee the day-to-day operations of the company. The Ministry of Finance also sent itself a statement, in which it was explained that the subcommittee will also take the lead in the search for a new General Manager.
The statement confirmed that a meeting had been held with the GuyOil Board where the Minister had been briefed and explained that no contract exists with Aaron Realty for the supply of fuel.
“As a result, the Minister requested that the office of the Auditor General be invited to conduct an urgent inquiry into the matter which is the subject of the allegations being made. Minister Singh further emphasized the need for the company to act in accordance with the established laws and procedures in accordance with good governance, accountability and transparency. ”
“He reminded that the Board was appointed to protect the interests of the Government and the people of Guyana and what it expects of all State entities. On this note, he reiterated that his Government will not tolerate any form of illegal practice. ”