DEAR EDITOR,

With reference to Kaieteur News (KN 4th April, 2016) in which Dr. David Hinds is actually accusing Mr. James Singh (Commissioner of Forest) of “getting something in exchange for his silence and inaction” with regard to Bai Shan Lin being granted concessions.According to the final analysis of the Forensic Audit done on GFC, “There is no clear evidence of malpractice by the GFC Head” to initiate criminal charges. This is the finding of a qualified Chartered Accountant who is qualified to pronounce on such matters and who criticised certain aspects of the granting of concessions to BSL by GFC.

My point here is that the granting of these concessions is not done solely by Mr. James Singh (COF). Rather it is done through a collective decision which has to go through the hierarchy of GFC, including the board.

Also, since the Forest Act prohibits transfer of control/ownership of concessions without the approval of GFC, who are these “potential concessionaries” to whom these concessions should be reallocated, bearing in mind that all these concessionaries have TSA?

Also, since the audit clearly states that there is no direct evidence to link the hierarchy of GFC to wrongdoing which could cause criminal charges to be brought against them, I think Mr. Hinds owes GFC, especially Mr. James Singh, an apology.

A. Noel