Dear Editor,
Reference is made to the Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN) letter in the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News edition of March 27, 2024. The OGGN, an entity registered in the United States by a group overseas based Guyanese, has sought to apparently clear its name of “false claims”. The question is what false claims? Interestingly, they have responded to another writer, but ignored this author whom they reported to the UNHRC and have ignored my 15 pages long response that was also submitted to the UNHRC and published in the local media. Those are the real issues that they need to defend, not those frivolous matters they write about constantly.
In the said letter, the OGGN claimed that all the laws of Guyana are not accessible, so there is denial of access to information in contravention of the Guyana Constitution. This is a classic demonstration, however, of how the OGGN is clueless to the extent that they are totally unaware that all of the laws of Guyana are readily available and accessible on the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs website. Additionally, hard copies of all the laws of Guyana can be accessed at the Parliament building’s library, which is open to the public.
The entity goes onto state in their letter that other examples of denial of information were included in their report to the UNHRC. But guess what was one of the example that they referred to? In their report, they complained about not receiving information under the “Access to Information Act” confirming who is the Minister of Petroleum. Can you imagine that? This is the sort of question that find its way all the way to the UNHRC. Isn’t it public knowledge who all the ministers are and their respective portfolios? Furthermore, the official gazette is a public document accessible on the Attorney General’s website where this type of information can be sourced as well.
This is the level nonsense that the Government has to contend with from entities like the OGGN and their members whom it is reasonable to question and expose their intentions.
Yours respectfully,
Joel Bhagwandin
