FOLLOWING a series of deprecating articles featured in the Kaieteur News, which targeted senior officials at the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), the agency yesterday issued a press release detailing records regarding its fight against fuel smuggling.

According to the release, the GEA recorded 15 convictions from 10 completed prosecutions, three of which were guilty pleas, in 2012.
In addition, four new charges were filed in 2012 compared with 13 in 2011, 27 in 2010, seven in 2009 and three in 2008.  At the end of 2012, there were 10 prosecutions engaging the attention of the courts.
The release noted that last year 1,648 sites were sampled at least once from a total of 8,323 site visits. Of those, 13 or one percent were found with significant dilution (defined as more than 50%) in at least one tank.
It related that between 2006 and 2012, the percentage of sites found with significant dilution in at least one tank has progressively decreased from 34 percent in 2006 to one percent in 2011.  Moreover, significant levels of adulteration (defined as more than 50%) were detected in only one percent of the samples analysed.
The release further emphasised that there was a significant decrease in the volume of illegal fuel seized.
“While cognisant of the downward trend in the number of sites found to be dealing with illegal fuel, Guyana Energy Agency continues to ensure the integrity of the system and by extension, the Officers employed under the Fuel Marking Programme.  In addition to continuous monitoring of activities, work ethic, conduct, successes, failures and subsequent investigations of reports of corrupt practices; polygraph tests have been institutionalized as part of the drive to ensure system integrity,” it stated.
It noted that an additional metric to evaluate the performance of the Fuel Marking programme is a measure of gasoline, diesel and kerosene consumption (excluding large duty-free consumers).
According to the GEA, consumption of mogas or gasoline for the year 2012 increased by11.09 percent compared to 2011, and consumption of gasoil by the oil companies (Guyoil, Rubis and SOL) only, excluding the large duty-free consumers, increased by 13.35 percent.
For the oil companies, a total of 3,404,107 barrels of petroleum-based products were sold in 2012 with an average of 9,301 barrels per day. This represents a 12.97 percent increase when compared to 2011.
It highlighted that the increase in gasoil consumption correlates with the overall sustained growth of the economy and decreased availability of smuggled fuel, presumably due to the monitoring and enforcement activities of the Fuel Marking Programme.
“It is quite coincidental that hot on the heels of the termination of two employees articles have surfaced regarding the integrity of officials.  Members of staff have expressed their disappointment and disgust at the purported falsities and character assassinations of such officials and the continued publication of such articles without regard for unbiased journalism,” the release noted.
It stated that officials at the GEA have noted that it is unfortunate that disgruntled employees analyse a situation in the way that it has been presented.
It pointed out that last year, a forum was held for all Analytical Inspectors, which allowed them the podium to make presentations on ‘Ways to tackle Fuel Smuggling’ and an open environment to voice any concerns to management and each other.
“This full day session was a means for inspectors to understand their own job description and the practicalities that are attached while creating and suggesting ways to tackle this scourge,’ a GEA staffer noted.
The GEA statement also said that when questioned on the living conditions at the various bases, officials responded, “The allegation of living conditions is laughable, and it begs the question of when such photographs were taken, considering the repairs completed at the pictured base. During the spate of fires in Linden, the base was destroyed, but this is now currently under construction. Any driver or pedestrian can attest to this.”
“Officials at the GEA are confused at the tirade of accusations made against the Agency, noting that previous press releases and reports indicate the successes of the Fuel Marking Programme.  Vehemently denying any orders for the ‘covering up’ of fuel smugglers or avoiding the inspection of any areas, GEA officials have explained that the attempted character assassinations of those officials involved in the fuel marking programme still have no bearing on the fact that inspectors may have failed polygraph tests,” the release noted.
It stated that the failure of polygraph tests signals a loss of confidence in said employee, and termination is not an easy decision. Rather, the stages to this outcome are lengthy and structured, as it is not the quality of work that is doubted by the inspectors, but their integrity in achieving the same goal.
According to the statement, officials have explained that for an Analytical Inspector to become employed at the GEA, the process is not as clear-cut as an “on-the-spot” hiring procedure. In fact, there is an interview process, which invites the applicant to ask questions, and management is brutally honest in the harsh realities of the field of work.
“Cognisant that dangers may be inherent and involves the commitment of such persons employed, it has always been management’s policy that inspectors understand the nature and type of work, with the hours of service and allowances attached.  Further, there are procedures in place to ensure the safety of Officers,” it stated.
Nevertheless, amidst such baseless bitter accusations, the GEA continues to support the fight against fuel smuggling, noting that with support from the relevant authorities such as Ministry of Home Affairs, Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Customs Antinarcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Police Force, there is only one direction in which management forges towards; that is, to stamp out fuel smuggling.