Dear Editor,
Reference is made to the letter, `The alarm bells at Gold Board were going off during Lall’s tenure’ (SN, August 05). Though grateful for the industry and courage of Mr. Singh, this is, quite frankly, going nowhere. However, a few corrections are in order prior to closing this out.
What started out as gold smuggling and falling declarations has now led to my tenure. Fair enough. First, I say it again, the two are intricately linked. Second, gold smuggling has been a curse on this country’s coffers, which Mr. Singh was keen enough to note, but somehow identified only the obvious costs of smuggling, but not its life from government to government; gold smuggling was not a new phenomenon in 2017. Third, contrary to Singh’s contention that “during the period when GHK was at GGB [Gold Board]” Saddiq ‘Bobby’ Rasool, a licensed gold dealer was charged with….”. some help is in order. For the record, Mr. Rasool was charged prior (repeat, prior) to my presence at the GGB. Fourth, to Mr. Singh’s statement “no mention is made of a suspension of gold shipments from Guyana”, the following is offered: i) there are supporting documents in the records of the GGB from the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM); ii) representations were made on behalf of the GGB, where the Government of Guyana’s committed to comprehensive actions with source of gold declared to the GGB, being one; and iii) the moratorium issued in writing by RCM was rescinded in writing. This was within the first weeks of my tenure.
Given the contributions of gold to the nation then, this suspension was immediately escalated above the GGB, and clearance was given to lead the charge in aggressively working through the suspension to have it removed. This was achieved in less than a month; gold declarations held in queue were shipped and accepted. There are two more things that should be tabled. To give substance to RCM officials alarmed about smuggled gold (yes, that) and its source(s), the Canadians were invited to visit Guyana and familiarize themselves with what had been implemented in the aftermath of the Rasool development, and continuously enforced after the suspension. RCM took up the offer I extended, and visited the GGB, and other State institutions with oversight relationships re the GGB. It was told to my face, and to others, that the efforts put in to tighten procedures at the GGB contributed to the continued acceptance of gold shipments from Guyana, due to fear about smuggled (‘tainted’) gold. Concerning fear, it is Mr. Singh’s right to interpret and infer as it pleases him; my position is to respect the rights of others, until hard evidence surfaces. Speculations and rumours titillate, but also harm.
Separately, tightening operations prompted gold declarants to the GGB to go in resistance mode re source of gold. The line was held, with full autonomy from the then Minister of Natural Resources. Mr. Raphael Trotman. As said recently, gold declarations started to peter off from then, which published figures support. The thinking at the GGB and outside of it was that some of the gold that used to be declared to the GGB came from outside Guyana (smuggling). When the implementation of regulations became the norm, the declarations dropped, which goes back to that issue of source of gold; plus, where those ounces now went (cross border smuggling?).
Now, this point is necessary: gold smuggling was a priority issue at the GGB. It was tied into not just declarations, but the medium-to-high risk profile around gold itself, and with concerns about money laundering, as an instrument of other illegal operations, and the overall reputation and wellbeing of Guyana. Conversations and collaborations with other State agencies, and escalations to the highest levels in this land, all occurred. Both local and foreign entities engaged the GGB at arm’s length. There was the fullest cooperation, without relinquishing sovereignty rights.
In essence, the GGB participated and partnered where it could with everyone on everything, including smuggling. It could do so in an unfettered manner because there were no friends; no favours due, none given. Nothing to hide, none to protect. I knew nobody, not even former Minister Trotman; nobody knew me. To Mr. Singh’s position about a “vigorous response” should have been, but was not, I must be sharp. He doesn’t know what he is talking about, research and all. He knows the superficial, and it is my belief that his anxieties are artificial. No offence intended. Regarding “lazy”, the brother does take many liberties.
Last, I remind all Guyana that the Gold Board Act empowered the GGB to buy, sell, process, and ship gold. Naturally, those incorporate duties related to smuggling. From where and to where, this sensitive issue still stands. This is my last word.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
