ONCE again, Kaieteur News has landed itself in hot water, this time, for attempting to connect Guyana to the recent oil spill that occurred in Trinidad and Tobago.
With the newspaper publishing this major accusation without any solid evidence, the Kaieteur News, after being called out by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, was forced to issue a retraction and an apology in its Saturday, March 16 edition.

The newspaper wrote: “Kaieteur News retracts a letter published under the caption, ‘Will the businessmen behind oil spill be sanctioned’. Kaieteur News further apologised to all parties affected by the publication of this letter.”

PM Phillips, in a letter to the editor, not only called out the newspaper for these “gross inaccuracies” and “misleading” statements but also set the record straight as it relates to the credibility of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government and the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL).

While responding to Kaieteur News’ letter column of Wednesday, March 13, 2024, under the caption, “Will the businessmen behind oil spill be sanctioned?” the prime minister stated: “It appeared across the country in the printed copies cementing the reprehensible damage done in unjustly tarnishing the reputation of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc., the company’s executives and by extension, the Government of Guyana.”

He added: “The decision by Kaieteur News to publish this letter reflects a shocking lack of editorial oversight and a blatant disregard for the principles of responsible journalism. This act is also dangerous, fueling misinformation and potentially inciting unwarranted public alarm and international condemnation.”

In an effort to duly educate Guyanese, he said that the insinuation that GPL has engaged in illegal activities by purchasing oil from a sanctioned state is categorically “false and baseless.”

In the letter, the Prime Minister said that the Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) procurement by GPL has been conducted through a transparent process of national competitive bidding, adhering to all international standards and regulations.

He also disclosed that the contract for the supply and delivery of HFO was awarded to Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. and a joint venture between Rapid Results Inc. and Osher International Holdings LLC, after a rigorous evaluation process.

“This procurement process is a matter of public record, and at no point has GPL been notified of any issues related to the delivery of this fuel that would suggest any deviation from our stringent procurement protocols,” the letter further read.
Additionally, the Prime Minister said that Kaieteur News’ attempt to link GPL and the Government with the unfortunate oil spill off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago is “not only erroneous but also maliciously intended to sow discord and mistrust among the Guyanese populace and our regional neighbors.”

Phillips then said: “GPL has unequivocally stated that the company is not related to this incident, and any claims to the contrary are simply unfounded. The portrayal of the Government of Guyana and its agencies, including GPL, as defiant or indifferent to international norms and sanctions is a gross misrepresentation.”

The Prime Minister further noted that the Government of Guyana remains committed to upholding the highest standards of governance and international compliance.

There have been consistent efforts by Kaieteur News to discredit the government and moreover, the publisher Glen Lall, has been accused of using the newspaper as a propaganda machinery to advance his known political ambitions

Also, there have been instances where persons have been forced to file lawsuits against the newspaper for false publications.
Furthermore, on several occasions, Vice President and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, called out Kaieteur News for its frequent “distortion” of facts.