…urges equitable distribution of economic opportunities to local businesses

At the time that the African Business Roundtable Oil and Gas Exploration company (ABR O&G) applied for oil blocks in 2016, it had no influence over the government’s decision on contract awards and still has no influence over such.

This is according to Selwin Asafa George, one of the principals of ABR O&G, which has a 25 per cent stake in the company. In a letter to the media on Wednesday, he stated that in case one of its members should become a “conflicted shareholder” it is quite easy to remove the said individual.

George’s letter comes amid query against State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) Executive, Eric Phillips, for being part of the company when it applied for oil blocks in 2016. Phillips is part of SARA’s team probing the awarding of oil blocks offshore Guyana to “junior” companies by the former PPP administration just before it demitted office.

When news broke that documents from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) show that Phillips is one of the beneficial owners of the company, questions were raised about his involvement in the investigation. However, Phillips has since stated that he was not a member of SARA when the application was made as part of the group in October 2016. He informed the public that he joined SARA in May 2017 following the passage of the SARA Bill in Parliament.

On Wednesday, George further clarified that the company was not awarded the proposal and, at the time, he was unaware of Philips or any other member being in a position to have influence over the government’s awarding of contracts. “At the time of the formation of ABR O&G and proposal to the government, I do not believe that anyone in the group had influence over the government’s decision on contract awards. If any of the principals has subsequently taken up a role and would have influence over the government contract awards, it is quite easy for the other shareholders to remove the conflicted shareholder. To date, ABR O&G has not been awarded anything by the government and has no economic value,” George stated. He added that while he is unable to speak on behalf of the principals of ABR O&G, he has taken the opportunity to address the issue and its larger context for himself.

He explained in the letter that ABR O&G is a start-up company established by a few of its members with “significant experience in oil and gas”. George said that this experience includes having previously drilled for oil in Guyana, an extensive local business track record of investing in the economic and social development of Guyana and experience in international economic development.

Furthermore, he indicated that the company’s proposal to the government was guided by its interest in ensuring inclusivity and diversity in the awarding of oil blocks. The ABR principal said that representatives of all races were approached by ABR to assist in the company’s management in the case that its proposal was granted.

“The principals reached out to prominent Guyanese businesses of all races and ethnicity to join the effort. We were careful in ensuring that there was representation from each of the six racial groups if we were awarded a block. I will respect their right to confidentiality but hope that some of those who were approached or agreed to participate will come forward to confirm that there was an arrangement to unite on this important initiative. This is an important fact that I hope can spark the discussion on how we dismantle discrimination and inequality in Guyanese society,” he stated.

George also said in his statement that the proposal was aimed at empowering the average Guyanese who would otherwise have no access to participate in the contract award opportunity. He highlighted: “…a significant portion of the company’s shares were intended to be distributed to ordinary Guyanese who would be able to own these empowerment shares and directly benefit from the economic opportunities. Right now, ordinary Guyanese have never been offered this type of opportunity.”

The ABR principal stated that he is not perturbed with the public naming of companies like his which are pending an award of a government contract. He also said that he is comfortable with the public naming of the principals of companies which have been awarded a government contract as this will bring about discussions on accountability and equitable distributions of the entire contract award process. “Transparency will strengthen Guyana and our key institutions and will help to eliminate corruption or even the perception of corruption,” he stated.

George also used the platform to point out that of the names listed among the principals of ABR is “Osafa” George which is a misspelling of his correct name “Asafa”. He stated that it is his will to see economic opportunities being well distributed amongst local Guyanese businesses of all races and for the equal strengthening and development of Guyana.