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Action underway to block ExxonMobil from appearing in Parliament
ExxonMobil country manager Rod Henson and his team reportedly appeared before the Natural Resources Sector Committee in 2018 after the House decided not to question the private company.
…Jagdeo claims rules were changed to prevent private companies from being subpoenaed, but opposition doesn’t remember
Kaieteur News– The parliamentary opposition’s efforts to scrutinize the operations of oil giant ExxonMobil have hit a snag again as they are moving to block the company from appearing at a National Assembly hearing.
After repeated attempts by MPs to provide answers and key documents to Parliament failed, the Opposition sought guidance from National Assembly Secretary Sherlock Isaacs at a meeting of the Natural Resources Sector Committee on July 19, 2024. He stated at the time Company representatives may be arrested and detained Until they appear before the committee as required. Evidence Act Chapter 1:08.
Former National Assembly Speaker Raphael Trotman
However, during his weekly press conference, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo questioned this fact. He told reporters that this situation can no longer be allowed because Parliament has decided to prevent private companies from being summoned to Parliament. Jagdeo, who was not a member of Parliament when the decision was made, reportedly said: “…Private companies, Parliament decided a long time ago to keep politicians away from private companies because people like AFC would blackmail them if they came to Parliament…” said the Parliamentary Secretary in an invited comment Kaieteur News The Vice President was correct in his statement on Monday morning as he was corrected after pointing out the legal framework during a committee meeting.
Bharat Jagdeo Vice President
He said the decision was made during the PPP/SPP minority government led by President Donald Ramotar from 2011 to 2015. “Some time ago, during the minority government, a decision was taken where it was decided not to allow private organisations, companies and so on to come before the commission,” Isaacs explained. “Now, I realised that when I came to the commission. After speaking to the commission, they brought it to my attention, (and) they showed me the minutes,” the clerk added. Asked if the law had been amended to remove that provision, he said: “They showed me the minutes… I think Odinga Lumumba was the chairman of the commission and when we had objections to the commission going to White Forest and other places or convening before the commission, they decided not to allow us to come before the commission.”
When asked if there was no other way for ExxonMobil to be summoned before the committee to answer key questions, he said Isaacs said: “I’m sorry, this is a question for politicians, I’m just an official of the National Assembly. I don’t want to get involved in this discussion.” As of press time, Kaieteur News It could not be confirmed whether Parliament had reached such an agreement.
Sherlock Isaacs, Secretary of the National Assembly
No memory
To investigate further, the newspaper contacted Raphael Trotman, who was the speaker of the National Assembly during the PPP/C minority government. Kaieteur News“In the 10th Parliament, I do not recall such a decision being made. If there was, it should have been in writing.” Trotman said that during the APNU+AFC government, according to Jagdeo and Isaacs, the “decision” should have been made and both the Minister of Natural Resources and ExxonMobil appeared before the Parliamentary Committee. Moreover, Trotman reasoned that since the opposition held a majority in the 10th Parliament, it would never have agreed to curb its ability to subpoena companies to provide answers in the public interest. Another MP, Kathryn Hughes, who has served in the House of Representatives since 2011, said: “I do not recall such an arrangement being made.” Furthermore, Hughes pointed out that such a move would “significantly hinder the work of the committee” as it would not be able to engage with companies and question their operations. To this end, she pointed out: “This contradicts the mandate of the committee, which is to conduct scrutiny and promote transparency on behalf of the people of the country.”
ExxonMobil hauled before APNU+AFC committee
But it must be noted that after this so-called “decision” was reportedly made, according to Jagdeo and Isaacs ExxonMobil was summoned to appear in court in 2018 under the APNU+AFC government The then country manager Rod Henson engaged in a heated argument with PPP MP Pauline Sukhai before the National Assembly’s Natural Resources Sector Committee. During his 11 years in the APNU/AFCday In Parliament, the BJP was allowed to scrutinize oil companies in the House of Representatives.
“There are rumours that ExxonMobil is funding a political initiative that has not been approved by the National Assembly – the Green State Development Strategy,” Sukay reportedly said during a meeting with Henson. At this point, she offended Henson. He said, “Excuse me, ma’am, but I have to interrupt you. ExxonMobil … we don’t take sides, we don’t participate in politics. We don’t fund any political parties.” But even so, Sukay continued. Henson then said, “Let me say that this is complete nonsense.”
But Sukai was not discouraged. She insisted that she was “a National Party MP, and people have expressed concerns about this. If I did not seek the necessary clarification at this meeting, it would be my fault.” After Sukai asked questions, Henson repeatedly said: “Thank you for your comments, can you repeat the question?”
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