The Ministry of Natural Resources on Thursday night laid full blame for the oil audit controversy at the feet of the Head of the Petroleum Unit, Bobby Gossai.

The controversy erupted after information became known that the Ministry of Natural Resources through the Petroleum Unit had slashed the US$214 million in questionable oil costs to just over US$3million.

It was the Guyana Revenue Authority in its audit that flagged that US$214 million that Exxon was claiming. The reduction was reportedly done after a meeting between Exxon and the Petroleum Unit Head.

In laying blame at the Head of the Petroleum Unit for the massive reduction in questionable expenses, Minister of Natural Resurces, Vickram Bharrat in a statement last night said it was the Head of the Petroleum Unit, Bobby Gossai who advised on the reduction.

“However, based on advice from Mr. Gossai that the initial claim of USD$214,911,994 was reduced to USD$3,414,853.68, I wrote the Guyana Revenue Authority on 28th November, 2022 to confirm this figure by seeking a “No Objection”. As recent as July, 2023 Mr. Gossai in a meeting with the Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and I, reported that the initial sum was reduced to USD$11,497,140 then further down to USD$3,414,853.68. Given that I had written the GRA since November, 2022 and it was established that the GRA’s involvement is necessary to finalize the audit, I was under the impression that the reduce figure was done in collaboration with the GRA”, the Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat said.

Bharrat said the position of the Government of Guyana remains consistent with its original position that the only authority to make a final determination is the Guyana Revenue Authority.

According to the Minister, examining all the facts, it is clear that Mr. Gossai acted without the requisite authorization to engage with the oil company and provided inadequate advice.

He said he has since asked the Permanent Secretary to take the necessary disciplinary measures. He did not disclose what those measures would entail.

The Minister said further systems will be established to ensure no repetition of this lapse in the future.

Last week, the Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo announced that the Government was conducting a full probe into the controversy. Jagdeo, who overlooks the oil and gas sector, has distanced himself from the US$211 Million reduction in questionable expenses for the oil company.

The political opposition believes he was part of all the decision making that led to the embarrassing situation that has cost Guyana millions.

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