In keeping with requirements that Guyana signed onto with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the country’s Natural Resources Ministry had issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for two projects.
The first seeks a consultant to conduct a comprehensive Guyana (GYEITI) systematic disclosure feasibility study while the second requires a suitable expert to conduct a comprehensive GYEITI beneficial ownership register scoping study.
OilNOW understands that only one consultant, Samuel Bekoe, has tendered Expressions of Interest (EoI) to secure these two positions.
The financial proposals of this bidder were opened during this week’s tender opening at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) in Georgetown. Bids, according to the Natural Resources Ministry will be valid during the 120 days after the closing date of the tender.
The objective of the systematic disclosure feasibility study is to assess the feasibility of embedding EITI disclosures in government systems and corporate reporting, among other key objectives.
The beneficial ownership register, on the other hand, will ascertain the natural person or persons who ultimately own or control a legal entity or arrangement, such as a company, a trust, or a foundation. This register is one of many requirements Guyana agreed to when it signed onto EITI in 2017. Guyana’s Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had assured that the government is in full support of this initiative.
Currently, the Government of Guyana is working on improving public access to information related to the extractive sector. The current administration has committed to having all contracts, licences and permits published along with geo-located data. These disclosures have been assigned to the e-governance unit of the National Data Management Agency (NDMA).
The NDMA works with statutory bodies such as the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) to establish online digital portals for the corresponding disclosures. The NDMA also works with the Deeds Registry to digitize company registration data so that it is easily accessible to the public.
Notably, the Guyana Government is currently in search of a consultant to prepare its third EITI report.
