Newly elected Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), David Patterson and Executive Member, Dr Vincent Adams, have been appointed to head the party’s Oil and Gas Advisory Committee, while AFC Leader, Nigel Hughes will recuse himself from the Committee amid concern that there is a conflict of interest over his law firm, Hughes, Fields and Stoby, being a local legal representative of the ExxonMobil company.

At a press conference on Friday, Mr. Hughes said in his capacity as Leader of the AFC, he is not in a position to influence Government policy, particularly as it relates to Exxon. However, he admitted that he is in a position to influence AFC’s policy on oil and gas, and as such, has taken a decision to recuse himself from any discussion or policy making on oil and gas, at the party level. 

“The Party has appointed Dr. Vince Adams and Mr David Patterson to head the AFC oil and gas advisory committee with full powers to invite highly skilled technical experts both locally and internationally onto the committee. Until we attain government, I will have no input in or involvement with the AFC Oil and gas committee,” Hughes told reporters. 

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday, hinted at the need for there to be a probe into the relationship between Hughes and Exxon, on the basis he is a politically exposed person, according to the Laws of Guyana. 

Hughes said he welcomes such a probe.

“I welcome the VP call for an inquiry into my relationship with Exxon and while he is at it he may wish to include an investigation into Sue who he said looks after his business, into the several companies which have been allocated construction, security contracts and may more which are alleged to have connections with persons in high office,” the AFC Leader said. 

Hughes said he has been a politically exposed person since 2011, when his wife, Catherine Hughes, became a Member of Parliament and subsequently a Minister of Government in 2015. 

He said together, they have consistently declared their assets to the Integrity Commission.

He said, however, that the issue of conflict is not without precedent.

“The Honourable David Thompson was a prominent practicing lawyer and member of the Barbados Bar up to 2008 while he was leader of the Democratic Labour Party in Barbados. Upon being elected to the office of Prime Minister he withdrew from his firm Thompson and Patterson.  Henry De B. Forde, QC, was one of Barbados’ most celebrated lawyers while simultaneously functioning as Leader of the Opposition.  Closer to home, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, SC, is one of the most Prominent lawyers practicing in Guyana.  Mr. Ramkarran has himself been an M.P. as well as a candidate for the Presidential candidacy of the PPP/C, all while continuing to act as the senior partner of Cameron & Shepherd. If and when elected to office I will relinquish all ties with the Firm of Hughes Fields and Stoby,” the AFC Leader said.

In existence for 52 years, Hughes said Hughes, Fields and Stoby has advised international oil clients since the 1970s during various exploratory drilling rounds, and currently, Exxon Mobil is exclusively managed by Senior Counsel, Andrew Pollard.

“I have never advised, participated or assisted Exxon in any negotiations with the Government of Guyana at any stage. During the Coalition Government I did not act for or assist either the Government of Guyana or the Exxon. I have never held any government office or advised the Government of Guyana,” Hughes said. 

He pointed out that he resigned as Chairman of the AFC in April 2016 – approximately one year after the coalition took office.

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