| – WPA Exec. Member A sense of shock and disappointment is what critics and anti-corruption advocates now feel as they examine the damning forensic audit report on the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). The report, which was prepared by Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran shows that not only did GFC condone unlawful practices by Chinese logging company, Bai Shan Lin Forest Development Inc. but it was also part of the process.It has left critics and even some political activists wondering if the GFC Commissioner, James Singh got anything in exchange for his silence and inaction on the level of corruption that was taking place right under his nose.Specifically, Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. David Hinds said that it is clear from the forensic audit report that BaiShanLin has a monopoly in the Forestry Sector. He stressed that this runs counter to the notion of a developmental model that is based on the encouragement of local investment.Hinds,China NFL Jerseys, a highly qualified Buxtonian said that foreign investments should be encouraged as the country needs it. But he noted that such investments should not structurally undermine local, small and medium scale initiatives. And this is what the GFC has allowed to happen.Dr. Hinds opined that when BaiShanLin got the opportunity to access large concessions, it became a monopoly. He said that this is never good for an economy, especially when that monopoly is foreign-owned.The political activist said that foreign companies are never known for leaving much of their profits in the countries in which they invest. He said that it therefore becomes imperative that the host countries do not grant them such control as BaiShanLin was granted by the previous government.GFC Boss, James SinghManaging Director of BaiShanLin, Chu HongboWPA Executive Member,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, Dr. David HindsThe University Professor added, “The fact that BaiShanLin was also able to acquire ownership of five major local forest companies,China NBA Jerseys, in violation of the Forest Act, is also worrying. But the fact that the former government permitted this is really the unkindest cut.”He questioned, “How can you allow a foreign company to break the laws of the country you were elected to govern with such impunity? Where was the Guyana Forestry Commission? In effect, we elected a government to appropriate the country’s resources for itself and its local friends and to give away the rest to their foreign friends. These people are not nationalists.”The Executive Member of the WPA also questioned why the Chinese company was allowed to hold on to a premium forest contract for eight years without setting up the promised wood processing facility.Dr. Hinds said, “We now know that they are a sacred cow. For the past decade, this company has been very much part of the web of corruption in Guyana. One has to ask what did those who were tasked with managing the Forest Sector get from BaiShanLin in return for turning a blind eye and/or facilitating its unfair dominance and violation of the law.”The Executive Member of the WPA is of the firm conviction that the billions worth in concessions granted to BaiShanLin must be recovered. He said that he is also in full support of the recommendations by the forensic auditor for the Government to terminate all agreements made by the past administration with the Chinese firm.The Professor on Caribbean and African Diaspora Politics said that Guyana may be poor but, “We must have some dignity.” He said that no Government should be allowed to sell out the nation’s natural resources in exchange for the personal enrichment of a few.Dr. Hinds is of the opinion that there needs to be a national revolt against this blatant high class rape of the country. He said that from BaiShanLin to the illegally granted broadcasting licences to the land giveaways,NFL Jerseys Cheap, the country was stolen.The Executive Member of the WPA emphasized that there is a linkage between these corrupt, unlawful acts and they demand prompt and decisive remedial action from the Government.He stressed that the time for bold leadership is now.In his forensic audit report, Goolsarran exposed how the Chinese company made swift moves to gain control of five major companies in the Forestry Sector. These companies include Sherwood Forrest Inc, Haimorakabra Logging Co.,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, Wood Associated Industries Co. Ltd.,Cheap NFL Jerseys, Puruni Woods Inc. and Kwebanna Wood Products Inc.The forensic auditor noted however that there was no evidence that the specific approval of the GFC was granted in relation to the change of ownership/control of these companies.He argued that in the circumstances, the holders of the Timber Sales Agreements should have surrendered their authorisations to the Commission.He emphasized that these companies hold TSAs covering a total of 441,119 hectares. This means that BaiShanLin had access to a total of 627,072 hectares of State Forest.Goolsarran said that since the Forests Act prohibits the transfer of ownership/control of a forest concession without the specific approval of the Commission, then the five concessionaires that have transferred such ownership or control to the officials of BaiShanLin should be made to surrender their concessions to the Commission for reallocation to other potential concessionaires.Goolsarran also recommended that all state forest owned by the company should be returned to the Commission for reallocation.In addition to this, he said that the coalition administration should consider terminating the investment agreements with the company and recover the value of the fiscal concessions granted to it. |
