Signing bonus scandal… I’m not obligated to give info press didn’t ask for – Finance Minister

Dec 09, 2017 News, https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...or-finance-minister/

When notions of Government receiving a US$20m signing bonus from ExxonMobil were floated in the air several weeks ago, members of the coalition administration dismissed it as a preposterous concoction of the highest order; a figment of someone’s imagination.

Evidence has now come to the fore that there is more than a grain of truth to these claims which were made by Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram.

In fact, a letter addressed to Central Bank Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga on September 20, 2016, requests for the opening of a foreign currency account to receive a signing bonus from ExxonMobil.

Finance Secretary, Dr. Hector Butts made it clear that the Bank of Guyana should not treat the money as part of its reserves.

Kaieteur News has also been reliably informed that while the government has not received a bonus of US$20M, it has collected one to the tune of US$18M.

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan took some time yesterday during the wrap up of the budget debates to confront the revelation that the government is indeed in receipt of a signing bonus.

Jordan said, “Signing bonus seems to be a big issue. I don’t know why they calling it a leak. If we didn’t want a document in the open we would have pressed it under secret and made certain, only certain people saw it. But it was open. The letter that was put in today’s (yesterday’s) paper was there since last year…”

The economist added, “Ask yourselves why it suddenly appeared in the papers today (yesterday). We don’t care. If whoever leaked it felt that that is the approach to how government business is done, well so be it. It is out there.”

DID JORDAN LIE?

The Finance Minister also sought to address concerns that he lied to the press when he was first confronted about the signing bonus rumour.

In an interview with Kaieteur News, Jordan said the claim that the Government received US$20M is ‘a figment of the imagination’ and that there is ‘no agreement for any bonus.’ Further, he noted that the Government did not request such a bonus.

Speaking to members of the House yesterday, Jordan said that he maintains what he said to the press.

“They said Jordan lied to the press. I lied to anybody? There were two questions asked of me on this signing bonus and they were ill-directed questions. They gave me the opportunity to say nothing and so that is what I did. I said nothing. One person put the Ram accusation to me.”

He continued, “I said US$20 million? I don’t know anything about that, but I will go and find out. Did they ever get back to me? No…I am not under any obligation to give anyone any information they didn’t ask for. If you ask me a direct question I will answer you directly. And up to today, there is no signing bonus of US$20Million.”

(Kiana Wilburg)

The letter showing the request to open a bank account for a signing bonus granted by ExxonMobil

He is a liar and he should be fired! So too must Trottman! Bunch of liars! Like all liars. Trying to get out of the lie and trying to explain why he did not tell the truth!

Granger will do nothing. He knew that the issue was in the open and should have addressed it. He was complicit through acts of commission and acts of omission.

Zed posted:

He is a liar and he should be fired! So too must Trottman! Bunch of liars! Like all liars. Trying to get out of the lie and trying to explain why he did not tell the truth!

Granger will do nothing. He knew that the issue was in the open and should have addressed it. He was complicit through acts of commission and acts of omission.

read here

What's your take ?

Django posted:

Zed posted:

He is a liar and he should be fired! So too must Trottman! Bunch of liars! Like all liars. Trying to get out of the lie and trying to explain why he did not tell the truth!

Granger will do nothing. He knew that the issue was in the open and should have addressed it. He was complicit through acts of commission and acts of omission.

read here

What's your take ?

Trotman is a bareface liar.  I agree with Mr. Zed.

Mitwah posted:

Django posted:

Zed posted:

He is a liar and he should be fired! So too must Trottman! Bunch of liars! Like all liars. Trying to get out of the lie and trying to explain why he did not tell the truth!

Granger will do nothing. He knew that the issue was in the open and should have addressed it. He was complicit through acts of commission and acts of omission.

read here

What's your take ?

Trotman is a bareface liar.  I agree with Mr. Zed.

There is more to this debacle,regarding the secrecy of the funds given by Exxon.

The border dispute is heading to the World Court,legal fees will have to be paid,should the money be declared when received to the nation ?

what's your take ?

Mitwah posted:

Django posted:

Zed posted:

He is a liar and he should be fired! So too must Trottman! Bunch of liars! Like all liars. Trying to get out of the lie and trying to explain why he did not tell the truth!

Granger will do nothing. He knew that the issue was in the open and should have addressed it. He was complicit through acts of commission and acts of omission.

read here

What's your take ?

Trotman is a bareface liar.  I agree with Mr. Zed.

Imagine how much more was allegedly collected by someone on the side.

In light of this, should the AFC members ask Trotman to resign ? Has the AFC leadership gone rouge and have separated themselves from the grassroots ?

Those who left the PPP to join the AFC claimed that the leadership ignored than. What happened now ?

Where is the call to jail these thieves as some of you did when it was alleged that the PPP stole? There is a deafening silence here.

Why you doan start it up.