Former leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and current Member of Parliament Khemraj Ramjattan has called for an overhaul of the powers held by the Natural Resources Sectoral Committee. Ramjattan’s demand centres around the committee’s ability to summon major corporations, including ExxonMobil, for questioning regarding their operations in Guyana.
In a recent statement, Ramjattan argued that decisions made by previous committees should not constrain the actions of current ones. He highlighted a July 21, 2024, decision by the 14th Meeting of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources to visit companies like Bai Shan Lin – Kwakwani and Linden instead of calling them in for questioning. Ramjattan contended that this decision was being incorrectly used as a precedent to prevent the current Natural Resources Committee from summoning ExxonMobil.
“The AFC maintains that a previous committee’s decision should not limit the authority of a new committee. The Natural Resources Committee of 2024 is facing restrictions based on a decision made by a committee in 2014. This precedent undermines the standing orders and constitutional powers granted to sectoral committees,” Ramjattan asserted.
He emphasised that ExxonMobil, operating under a government-issued licence, should be held accountable similarly to other entities involved in the extraction of national resources. According to Ramjattan, the company should be considered an extension of the government due to its role in extracting resources belonging to the people of Guyana.
Ramjattan criticised the notion that the committee’s hands are tied by outdated precedents, arguing that such constraints could undermine the principles of transparency and accountability championed by the current administration. He called on the government to uphold its commitment to scrutiny and transparency by ensuring that all relevant entities, including ExxonMobil, are held accountable through proper channels.
“The government talks about transparency and accountability. It cannot now avoid these principles based on agreements made a decade ago. The power to summon should be upheld to maintain the integrity of our standing orders and the oversight capabilities of our committees,” Ramjattan concluded.
Meanwhile, in a letter published in the Stabroek News on August 14, GHK Lall addressed the recent debate over whether private companies, such as ExxonMobil, can be summoned before Parliament. The issue emerged following Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs’ correction on the matter.
Lall argued that Exxon’s presence in Parliament was crucial due to its significant impact on Guyana’s economy and future. “When a company of Exxon’s stature is invited to Parliament, it signifies serious national matters,” Lall stated. “The comparison to the US Congress, which can summon major corporations, underscores the need for accountability here in Guyana.”
He criticised the current stance of the PPP government and called for Exxon’s President Alistair Routledge to appear before Parliament. “The notion that private companies like Exxon are beyond parliamentary scrutiny is unacceptable,” Lall argued. “If the PPP government is responsible for blocking such accountability, it should be reversed.
Lall also questioned the effectiveness of Guyana’s National Resources Sectoral Committee if it cannot hold influential companies accountable.
