I refer to the letter, `Why is Janki so opposed to the ExxonMobil deal?’ under the name of Clement Smith. I should have thought the answers to that question were already abundantly clear.
I have repeatedly said that Minister Trotman’s behaviour was incompetent, irresponsible, naïve and foolish in the oil arrangement he agreed with Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Ltd. I said he should do the decent thing and resign. Since Minister Trotman has not resigned, he should be sacked. That is basic democratic accountability.
Having considered the contractual arrangements and relevant law I have said there are credible grounds for challenging the oil arrangement as contrary to the Constitution, national laws and legal principles established by the courts. Troy Thomas (represented by Christopher Ram) and Anil Nandlall have challenged in court the failure to put the US$18m ‘signing bonus’ into the consolidated fund. Ramon Gaskin has challenged the grant of the production licence. (To understand the Gaskin case it is advisable to read the pleadings which are public documents.)