As investigations continue into the scandal over fuel procurement at GUYOIL, President Irfaan Ali today said that the Chief Finance Officer of the state-owned company, Shawn Persaud and Board member, Akanni Blair will be removed from their positions as the duo had “inappropriate” contact with the importer.
This was revealed at a press conference held at State House this morning. Questioned about the ongoing scandal at GUYOIL, the president stated, “No fraud was committed because no transaction was entered into.”
He added, however, that all those who had inappropriate contact with the importer must be removed and identified Persaud and Blair as being among those involved. He added that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Trevor Bassoo was asked to proceed on administrative leave after a performance evaluation but he has since resigned and this has not changed.
Bassoo has denied that his departure was in any way connected to the current controversy over a fuel shipment allegedly imported by Aaron Royality Inc (ARI), who is claiming that he is now left with a large quantity of fuel on hand after commitments were made by some company officials that GUYOIL would buy it. The dealer claims that he has evidence of the commitments by officials of the company who also tried to solicit kickbacks in return for the company’s purchase.
Following the allegations of procurement irregularities, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh invited the Auditor General to investigate and sounded a warning that corruption will not be tolerated.
GUYOIL also denied the allegations, saying that while ARI was one of several companies it had been in discussions with, it had not contracted the company to supply fuel. “There is absolutely no truth to this allegation,” the company said in a statement.
