-denies forging signature of former Gold Board Chairman

CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly formed Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA), Bobby Gossai Jr, has sought to clear his name following allegations of corruption levelled against him while he served as Secretary of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB).

In a letter to the press, Gossai Jr threatened to take “appropriate actions” against media entities which he accused of attacking his character and reputation.

A few days after the Association was launched, an article appeared in the Kaieteur News, quoting sections of the report into a forensic audit conducted by accounting firm Ram and McRae. The audit report allegedly revealed that, during the course of their engagement, the auditors were advised that the Board’s Secretary had improperly lifted the signature of the former Chairman, Dr. Gobind Ganga, from one document and used it to purport that a letter had been sent from the former Chairman to the then General Manager.

But Gossai Jr has vehemently denied forging the former Chairman’s signature, and has declared that sections of the media want to hamper his professional career. He claims that he acted within the confines of his job on all related matters for the Guyana Gold Board, and discharged his responsibilities professionally and in accordance with the directions of the Board of Directors.

“At no given time did the Secretary use, reuse (“lift”), misrepresent or disguise the signature of the former chairperson for any undertaking in his capacity on the Board for professional or other benefits,” Gossai Jr said.
He further noted: “Moreover, let me underscore that during my tenure as Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Guyana Gold Board, I performed my duties, which were directives from my seniors. At no time did I undertake any task (financial, procurement, managerial, human resources, or otherwise) on my own accord. All tasks were done with the full knowledge of the Guyana Gold Board’s management team, its Directors and Chairperson, and the subject Minister at that time. I served the Board with honour. I was never terminated or dismissed from the Board. My terms were all fulfilled for each period that I served on the Board.”

Gossai Jr noted that he has always executed his job with honour, integrity and respect; and is of the view that there is a “personal mission” to tarnish his professional character.

“We are living in serious times in a country that is looking for serious developmental principles. As such, we must focus on the issues that matter for our growth as a nation, and not on personal agendas that may seek to disrupt someone’s integrity,” he said.

Following the allegations, the Guyana Oil and Gas Association noted in a statement that it is considering the contents of the audit report, and pointed out that it was not aware that Gossai Jr had been accused of forgery.

The Association stated that Gossai Jr has been retained as its Chief Executive Officer, and his employment is part of its start-up process.
Gossai Jr is currently on a probationary period which has not ended.

“The Board would like to assure the public that it is committed to the highest levels of transparency and disclosure in its efforts to develop a viable, successful Oil and Gas Industry in Guyana,” the GOGA has said.