The Ministry of Natural Resources has revealed that the Head of the Petroleum Unit, Bobby Gossai, will lose 15 days of pay and receive an official warning, over his role in the oil audit scandal.

The Government laid full blame at the feet of Gossai for the massive reduction in the flagged claims by the Exxon company that was revealed in the audit for the years 1999 to 2017.

The Guyana Revenue had flagged US$214 million of the total claims put forward by Exxon for cost oil. However, following a meeting between Exxon officials and the Petroleum Unit Head, the questionable amount was reduced to just over US$3 million.

The Government later stated that Gossai had no authority to meet with Exxon officials on the audit, and accused him of offering bad advice to the Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat.

In an official response to a query raised by the Stabroek News, the Ministry of Natural Resources indicated today that a review of the facts coming out of the investigations confirmed that the discussions between Exxon officials and Gossai were never approved, and the Petroleum Unit head has been disciplined in keeping with Public Service Rules for the offence of negligence.

Under those rules, the Natural Resources Ministry said it was approved that the maximum fine in the amount of 15 days’ pay be instituted against Mr. Gossai, in addition to a warning.

The Guyana Revenue Authority has stated that the original questionable sum of US$214 million will remain in place.

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