标签： Guyana

Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) has raised significant concerns over the appointment of Dr. Ivor English as the civil society convenor for the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’s Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), citing a potential conflict of interest due to his extensive ties to the mining sector. Despite assurances from Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat that Dr. English is not in a conflict of interest, PFG maintains that his involvement in mining concessions undermines the impartiality and governance of the role. Dr. English was granted gold-mining concessions totaling 19,586 acres in 2014, later subdivided into 17 permits, 13 of which were medium-scale mining permits. While Minister Bharrat stated that Dr. English is no longer active in gold or sand mining, Dr. English himself hinted at potential future mining activities. PFG criticized the Minister’s justification for the appointment, which emphasized Dr. English’s religious affiliation rather than addressing his mining interests. The organization also highlighted that this appointment marks the second attempt by Minister Bharrat to allegedly control civic appointments within GYEITI through opaque procedures. Earlier this year, the Minister appointed the Chair of the Private Sector Commission, a decision later reversed following intervention from the EITI International Secretariat. PFG emphasized the importance of transparent and impartial selection processes, particularly in a fragile democracy, and called for full civic engagement in the upcoming MSG meeting at the Marriott Hotel to uphold transparency and accountability in Guyana’s extractive industries.

In a significant move to modernize its public sector, Guyana has announced that promotions for public servants will now be contingent upon the successful completion of free courses offered through the newly launched Public Service Upskilling Platform. This initiative is part of a broader government effort to digitize operations, including the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) records and the entire public service system. Minister of Public Service and Government Efficiency, Zulfikar Ally, emphasized that these certifications will serve as crucial markers for professional development and career advancement. ‘These certifications can and will be tied to your professional development, your advancement, and your promotions within the public service,’ Ally stated during the platform’s launch. The courses, provided via the U.S.-based global online learning platform Coursera, will offer certificates that act as proof of new skills and ‘tickets’ for career progression. President Irfaan Ali has set ambitious deadlines for the digitization of NIS records within eight months and the public service’s human resource information system within five months. Ali highlighted that these digital transformations aim to enhance efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness by reducing transaction times and costs. Furthermore, the President envisions a ‘palm-driven service delivery’ system, enabling government officials to work remotely and deliver services directly to citizens via mobile devices. Ali also mandated that farmers gain access to a digital tool within four months, providing them with real-time field information, weather updates, and agricultural extension services. The Centre of Excellence in Agriculture is expected to be fully integrated into this digital framework. These initiatives collectively aim to propel Guyana ahead of its competitors by leveraging technology to streamline government operations and empower its workforce.

In a recent development at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, attorneys representing Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed revealed that no evidence linking their clients to Venezuela or the Middle East was disclosed by US-hired lawyers. This revelation came during a court session on November 10, 2025, where the Mohameds are contesting an extradition request from the United States. The US legal team had previously alleged that the Mohameds were involved in an international criminal enterprise with connections to high-ranking officials in Venezuela and extending through the US to the Middle East. However, Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde, part of the Mohameds’ defense team, stated that no such documents were provided. The Mohameds face an 11-count Grand Jury indictment in a Florida federal court, including charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering related to their gold exports business. They are currently on GY$150,000 bail and are scheduled to return to court on November 24. Meanwhile, the Guyana Revenue Authority has dropped all income tax evasion charges against the Mohameds in light of the US extradition request. Outside the courthouse, a small group of supporters from the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party gathered in solidarity with their leader, Azruddin Mohamed, though the turnout was significantly smaller compared to their previous court appearance on October 31.

Dr. Ivor English, the newly appointed civil society convenor for the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI), has firmly dismissed allegations of a conflict of interest due to his involvement in the mining sector. Speaking to Demerara Waves Online News on Sunday, Dr. English emphasized his commitment to integrity and objectivity, stating, ‘I have always been considered a kind of middle-ground objective person that will not allow myself to be involved in conflict of interest.’ While he acknowledged owning mining properties, he clarified that he has not been actively mining for several years due to adverse weather conditions that damaged his equipment. However, he did not rule out resuming operations in the future. Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat supported Dr. English’s appointment, asserting that the convenor’s limited mining activities do not pose a conflict of interest. He highlighted that Dr. English has not engaged in active mining since acquiring his mining blocks in 2014 and has no current operations in gold, diamond, or sand mining. Dr. English, who also serves as Managing Director of E & E Mining Enterprises, expressed willingness to relinquish his mining interests if necessary, stating, ‘I can even walk away from that because my benefits are not significant.’ The GYEITI, affiliated with the Norway-based Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), aims to combat corruption in Guyana’s extractive sectors, including oil, gas, mining, and forestry. Dr. English’s role as convenor does not grant him influence over the selection of civil society representatives for the multi-stakeholder group (MSG), as the process is governed by independent rules and guidelines. He is also barred from serving on the MSG itself. Dr. English reiterated his dedication to objectivity and integrity, stating, ‘I am a relatively small contented fish willing to contribute to national development and I maintain my integrity at all times.’ His appointment follows a transparent selection process, with the Natural Resources Ministry emphasizing his extensive civic and humanitarian contributions, including his long-standing role in the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and Lions Clubs International. The ministry also noted that Dr. English holds no political affiliations, further underscoring his suitability for the role.