FOLLOWING is a letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr. J. McKenzie, responding to an article published in the Kaieteur News on Thursday, June 19, 2014:

In response to your article “Bai Shan Lin ‘disrespects’ National Assembly” dated June 19, 2014, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) wishes to clarify the notion that it is hindering the Committee from visiting the Company’s operation.
1. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment would like to explicitly state that Bai Shan Lin is a private company and the Ministry has no authority to determine who visits their locations. The Natural Resources Sectoral Committee is free to pursue its request to visit the worksites of the said company.
2. The Ministry was requested to provide vehicular and other logistical support in the letter dated May 30th, 2014 from the Chairman, Mr. Odinga Lumumba, M.P. In the MNRE response dated June 3rd, 2014, it was pointed out that this request could not be accommodated at this point in time due to ongoing compliance and enforcement activities by various agencies. It’s important to note that at no point did the MNRE hinder the proposed visit of the Committee.
3. The Ministry has always fully cooperated with the Natural Resources Sectoral Committee and in fact appeared before the Committee with its agencies on November 20, 2013. Prior to our appearance, a comprehensive package detailing the agencies’ work programme and projects was submitted to the Committee on November 5, 2013.
4. Additionally, it should be noted that all information requested for the said Company emanating from the Sectoral Committee meeting was provided.
The Ministry remains committed to supporting the work of the Committee and will encourage full respect for its work by all stakeholders.

MR. J. MCKENZIE
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment