Civil Society group, Article 13 today picketed outside the Ministry of Natural Resources calling on the government to urgently look at the terms and conditions signed with ExxonMobil company and its partners.

One of the group’s founders, Yog Mahadeo said the renegotiation of the contract will benefit all Guyanese.

 From the picket line, Mr.  Mahadeo said while he understands that ExxonMobil has its expenses to cover, he is particularly concerned that for 2021 the company earned over $300 Billion, while Guyana made $85 Billion.

“Exxon not paying taxes but in our books, Exxon has to record that it pays taxes, what the Minister does he goes over to GRA and say record this is the tax and GRA has to issue a certificate for no taxes received but has to issue a tax certificate,” Mahadeo said.

Mahadeo believes the accounts of the oil company needs to be carefully examined.

“So this contract needs to be renegotiated not just because we want more money, show me how many investors and how many Guyanese are operating without paying taxes but more than anything else receiving a tax certificate, the laws of Guyana do not allow this, so it is illegal, it is unconstitutional, it is bad in faith and bad in practice,” Mahadeo said.

The Civil Society group wants the government to move with haste and renegotiate the contract if it wants to bring real benefits to the people of Guyana.

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