Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo today shot down reports that the State Asset Recovery Agency intends to lead an investigation into the award of oil blocks, which all took place under the last government.

Mr. Jagdeo told reporters at his weekly press conference that SARA cannot head any investigation into the award of oil blocks if that investigation is to have any credibility.

According to Jagdeo, “if the government wants to do that, the Government should hire an international firm with a reputation and not have Clive Thomas do this, and he is a member of their party”.

Professor Dr. Clive Thomas is the head of the State Assets Recovery Agency. He was recently quoted by the international media as saying that there is a planned probe into the award of the oil blocks in Guyana’s waters.

SARA wants to investigate the issuance of the licenses for the oil companies and the various blocks.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce has expressed worry about the investigation saying that it could turn away investors.

But experts in the oil sector have said they would support the probe since there are serious questions that must be answered about how oil blocks were handed out and who owns all of the blocks that have been handed out.

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