Declaring that the decision to fire him was based on “a political directive,” former Managing Director of the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) Badrie Persaud says he was denied an opportunity to respond to the audit report that precipitated his sacking.
On Monday, an unsigned statement from GuyOil said that a decision was made to terminate the services of Persaud after the company’s Board of Directors along with the Forensic Auditor reviewed the verified findings of the forensic audit done by Nigel Hinds Financial Services for the period November 1, 2011 to May 31, 2015. According to the statement, “based on the findings which document unauthorised and inimical actions” that had been taken by Persaud during this period, the Board of Directors at a Special Board Meeting on February 18th, determined that it could no longer have confidence in Persaud’s ability to execute the functions of Managing Director.
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, Persaud said that while he has no intention of challenging the decision, he would like an opportunity to respond to the accusations that his actions were unauthorised.
“I served the company for 10 years diligently and productively. I have asked the board, in the interest of natural justice, to give me a copy of the report and allow me to respond to the accusations that were made. However, I was told that it is the property of the stakeholder [the Ministry of Finance],” Persaud said.
He expressed the opinion that “even the board members don’t have a complete copy of the report” and that they have acted “on extracts that they were provided.”
“Why is the report secret? Why can’t I read it? Why can’t I respond to the so called findings?” he asked.
Persaud maintains that as far he is aware “the auditor did not encounter anything fraudulent at the level of the management” and that he is “not sure how the board came to the conclusion that I could not objectively perform my duties. He, however, added that he “won’t challenge the decision because I know it’s been long in the pipeline.”
“I believe my termination was executed based on a political directive that is why the politician [Minister of Finance Winston Jordan] is in possession of the report and not the board,” Persaud said. The board’s decision to terminate the services of Persaud was made while he was serving 210 days of leave. It took effect on the same day that leave ended, February 27th, 2016. Having been fired with immediate effect, Persaud will be paid in lieu of notice in line with the provisions of the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act.
In July last year, Persaud had been sent on 210 days leave so that the forensic audit of the state-owned company could be completed.
Jordan told Stabroek News then that it was advised that Persaud be sent on leave “so the auditors can go in and speak to people without them being fearful.”
Investigation into the operations of GuyOil were launched after Minister of State Joseph Harmon revealed that millions of dollars were lost after private vehicles fraudulently accessed fuel from GuyOil through an arrangement set up by the former administration.
The Minister alleged that these vehicles had received fuel from GuyOil under the auspices of such agencies like the National Sports Commission, the Ministry of Home Affairs (now Public Security), the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Tourism.
