Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 06, 2016 News
The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and Chinese logging company, BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc., share a rather special relationship.
When the Chinese company was first granted a State Forest Exploratory Permit (SFEP), it did not satisfy the necessary requirements, which included the submission of audited financial statements for the last five years; evidence of technical and financial qualifications; and history of compliance.
In spite of this, GFC went ahead and granted the company the permit on the condition that it would establish a state-of-the-art wood processing facility.
Critics posit that a logical person would conclude that since the Chinese company failed to meet all the obligations of its first contract, the GFC would think twice before granting another such permit.
However, a forensic audit report prepared by Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran, shows that the company did not see it fit to heed the guidelines of its own Forest Act or even pay attention to the company’s breach of its first contract. Goolsarran exposed how GFC went ahead and granted the Chinese logging company a second permit in spite of its failings with its first permit.
Goolsarran said that notwithstanding Baishanlin’s failure to honour its obligation under SFEP 01/2011, on 26 April 2013, the Commission granted the company a second exploratory permit (SFEP 01/2013) covering 73,015 hectares of State forest. He noted that this time, the company submitted audited financial statements for the period 2007 to 2011; evidence of US$30 million to be invested; and information that of a significant number of heavy duty machinery in Guyana which would be used.
The Forensic Auditor asserted however that a review of these statements indicates that the company was in dire financial difficulties. In particular, except for 2007, the auditors have qualified the accounts of the company because of accumulated losses that cast doubts as to the ability of BaiShanLin to continue as a growing concern for the foreseeable future without sustained financing.
Goolsarran said that the Commission also granted BaiShanLin two State Forest Permits (SFPs) covering an additional 8,170 hectares of State forest.
He noted, however, that it is not clear on what basis these permits were granted. The Chartered Accountant said that the Commission has since advised that one permit was relinquished in March 2015.
The Commission commented that the granting of the second SFEP to BaiShanLin was aimed at further boosting and consolidating the raw materials requirement for the Wood Processing Facility. But Goolsarran was not satisfied with this response. He emphasized that the approval for the second permit should have awaited the completion of the wood processing facility which is yet to be completed.
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
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