A Caribbean joint-venture for a chemical storage facility has been shelved amid controversy over the disposal of state lands on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) and a near US$1 million payment to a well-known PNCR figure.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall confirmed to Sunday Stabroek that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been advised to put on hold the application by Guyana Logistics and Support Ser-vices (GLASS) Holdings Inc for the construction and operation of a chemical storage and warehouse facility and laydown yard in the controversial NICIL-owned Peter’s Hall area, on the EBD, “until this issue is resolved.”
The hold on the project comes as the company was seeking to resolve with government holding company, National Industrial and Commercial Invest-ments Limited (NICIL), how to move forward with the US multimillion facility that it and its partner, Lennox Petroleum of Trinidad and Tobago (LPTT), paid US$1 million to PNCR member, attorney James Bond, for the lease rights.
Bond was the recipient of some US$952,800 for the sale of the lease rights. GLASS Holdings and LPTT bought the rights from a company called ARKEN Group, of which Bond has been identified as the principal.
Of significance was that Bond was also the attorney hired by NICIL to look after its interest in the Peter’s Hall lands and it was he who drafted all of the documents for the lease. Major conflict of interest issues arise here.
Bond has told this newspaper that he would not be speaking to the press on the issue.
“No response,” he said just over a week ago when contacted. Questioned on the reason for his decision, given the serious allegations that have arisen, he said “I am not going to speak to the press”. Asked then who would he be speaking to he replied, “The court, the police, SOCU (Special Organised Crime Unit)”.
Nandlall has called on the police and SOCU to probe the disposal of the land.
GLASS Holdings, based at Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown, has been actively operating here since 2011, according to the Deeds Registry, and has as one of its directors Glen Low-A-Chee, a Guyanese businessman. It is he who has written to and is in discussion with NICIL on the way forward for the project.
This newspaper reached out to Low-A- Chee, and he explained that both GLASS and LPTT would issue a statement on the issue because he feels that there “has been much misconceptions and mix-up” between his company and others in the same Peter’s Hall area.
Lennox Petroleum Services Limited’s website states that it is privately owned by nationals of Trinidad and Tobago and provides general oilfield contracting services both on land and offshore, regionally and internationally.
“The Company commenced its services to the Oil Industry in July 1976 and to date we have attain-ed the reputation of being the #1 Service Company on the island. It is for this reason that Lennox Petro-leum Services Company Limited is the first service company in Trinidad and Tobago to be awarded a two-year STOW. (Safe To Work) Certificate of Conformance in STOW Health, Safety and Envi-ronment in Trinidad, as well as a registered TRACE Member in the United States,” the website (https://www.lennoxpetroleum.com/cinfo.htm) states.
“These accomplishments we are extremely proud of, as we continue to strive for excellence. Our reputation for professionalism and attitude for safe workplace practice is displayed at all levels by our efficient employees and skilled operational personnel. Our principal service offered is the provision of highly qualified nationals to fill every job description with the operations,” it adds.
Conundrum
In a letter to NICIL, seen by Sunday Stabroek, it was Low-A-Chee who had written explaining the conundrum in which his company now finds itself. He said he was shocked when he went to pay on the lease for the lands to learn that the deal had come under scrutiny by the new government and NICIL.
“Our company GLASS Holdings Inc. is a majority Guyanese-owned limited liability company that provides services to the oil and gas sector…pursuant to the expansions of our operations, we were interested in acquiring land – whether through a purchase or lease – for the purpose of constructing a warehouse. The size location and permitted land use of the land was critical to our development,” he explained to NICIL Chairman Radha Krishna Sharma, as he enquired about the purchase of the lease.
“The Lease Agreement and all documents and procedures to effect the transfer of the Leasehold/ Lessee rights from ARKEN to GLASS Holdings were prepared and processed in compliance with the lease (number provided) and the general rules governing the lease transfer,” he added.
It was to that end that he said he was introducing the company and circumstances of how they acquired the lease, asking NICIL’s help “to guide us through the current evaluation process.”
He said that his company remained committed to the two plots and was willing to cooperate with the agency.
The EPA in an advertisement had said that the company’s planned project did not necessitate an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) but objections could be raised within the 30-day period of the notice of any complaints residents might have. This process has now been put on hold following the legal advice tendered to the EPA over the Peter’s Hall land deal. Efforts by the Sunday Stabroek to elicit a comment from the EPA failed.
The project summary states that GLASS Holdings Inc. plans to store Asphaltene Inhibitor, Corrosion inhibitor, Biocide, Hydrate Inhibitor, Demulsifier, Chlorine Scavenger, Defoamer and Hydrate Inhibitor, all used in the offshore oil and gas process, at the Peters Hall location.
“The product will be stored as follows: ISO Tanks constructed from 316 stainless steel; quantity per tank: 5,000 gallons. Plastic tanks constructed of HDPE; quantity per tank: 275 gallons. Steel drum constructed from carbon steel either lined or unlined: quantity per drum – 55 gallon.”
The company said that it complies with UN package performance standards.
