Board to discuss Goring issue this week

The Board of Directors of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is set to meet this week to discuss the hiring of two senior officials.

Updating Kaieteur News saturday, Chairman Nigel Hinds said that a report has been requested from Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van West Charles.

The two officials are Manager of the Debt Recovery Unit, Lear Goring, and Lance Mars, a consultant. There were questions over the hiring of the two without any advertisements.

With regards to Goring, there were concerns after it was reported last week that he had served time for two drug convictions in the US in the 1990s.

GWI’s hiring policies came under question as a result.

Saturday, the Managing Director would only say that he was in the process of submitting the report and that the board would be dealing with the matter.

Goring came to the fore after it was reported that Van-West Charles through a company he is part of received a fuel import and storage licence last November.

Saturday, Van-West Charles reiterated that the granting of the licence was done by an independent organization, the Guyana Energy Agency. That organization has an independent board, the GWI boss pointed out.

“This application for the fuel licences was made before I assumed duties at GWI. Again, the company, Atlantic Fuels Inc. does not conduct business with GWI. There is no conflict of interest and it was to a company I was part since when I was a private citizen.”

With regards to Goring, the official said that his report to the Board is explaining the circumstances under which both Goring and Mars, who are said to be his friends, were hired.

“It would be premature to speak as the Board has asked for a report.”

Goring’s case had sparked debate whether persons convicted of offences out of Guyana can be hired in key positions. Critics were divided, with some saying that he should be given a second chance, as it was almost two decades ago, once he is qualified.

However, there were some who said that the position should have been advertised.

(KAIETEUR NEWS)