…if he does not have the skill set, then we will have a problem
The Opposition has not been privy to the Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the newly appointed head of the Department of Energy (GEA), Mark Bynoe, but General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo warns that if he does not have expertise within the sector, “it will be a problem.”
Jagdeo made his comment on Thursday during his press conference, after he was probed to provide his opinion on Bynoe. However, the Opposition Leader posited that from his brief interactions with Bynoe, he seems to be “technically sound”.
“I have not studied his CV. We’re not required to. They didn’t ask us about it, so I don’t know if he has the skill set to manage the department…if he does not have the skill set, then we will have a problem,” he asserted.
Moreover, Jagdeo said his present concern lies with the fact that very little is known about the structure of the Department, especially as it relates to the Petroleum Commission Bill which is pending in Parliament.
“We know very little about the structure of the Department…. its mandate and how it will conflict with or compliment the Petroleum Commission…What will be the responsibility of this department…What will be the responsibility of the Petroleum Commission because that is supposed to be a part of the technical body…How much political involvement?” he questioned.
The State Media on Wednesday announced that Bynoe, will be heading the fledgling Department of Energy, which will have responsibility for Guyana’s new oil and gas sector, has already started to raise eyebrows.
Some have opined that a known expert in the oil sector should have been appointed. State Minister, Joseph Harmon has asserted that the appointment was made by the President, David Granger, himself.
“He was hired by Government; in fact, it is the President’s decision,” Harmon noted. “The Department of Energy was created and we (needed to appoint) someone who would head it. So the President appointed Dr Bynoe to head the Department”, the State Minster had stated.
The State Media has since disclosed that Bynoe is a former Director of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (formerly Environmental Studies Unit) of the University of Guyana and is the holder of a Doctorate in Economics (Environmental Economics) from the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom.
He is also listed as having a Master’s Degree in Resource Management, University of Edinburgh, Scotland; a Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies, University of Guyana; a BA in Geography/Economics (Double Major) from the University of Guyana; a Certificate in Environmental Economics and Policy Analysis, Harvard Institute of International Development, Harvard University, United States of America; and a Certificate in Programme Monitoring and Evaluation hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat, St George’s University in Grenada.
Government took the responsibility for the oil sector from Natural Reources Minister, Raphael Trotman earlier this year and Minister Harmon has been designated the holder of ministerial responsibility for this department. (Ramona Luthi)
