Bhagwandin denies conflict existed between role on procurement commission, work for ExxonMobil

Joel Bhagwandin

Commentator Joel Bhagwandin yesterday said that there was no conflict of interest in his role as a Public Procurement Commission (PPC) Commissioner  and the fact that he had been on the payroll of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL).

On Sunday, Bhagwandin, a financial analyst, declared that he had terminated a contract with EMGL for the provision of advice on Government Affairs and political matters. In a letter in Stabroek News on July 16, he disclosed that he and EMGL had a difference of opinion over his attacks on AFC Leader Nigel Hughes and as a result, he (Bhagwandin) took a decision to terminate his contract.

Following his disclosure, Stabroek News contacted the PPC to determine if it had been aware that Bhagwandin had been on the payroll of EMGL and whether that posed a conflict in his role as commissioner. There has so far been no response from the PPC.