In response to questions made about the absence of a Finance Minister, President Irfaan Ali has said that the Office of the President will continue to have oversight for both Finance and Natural Resources.
No Finance Minister was selected by President Ali during his appointment of the Cabinet, a decision which has caused a lot of criticism for the government.
The person appointed to the position of Finance Minister would have the responsibility of preparing a national budget and the funding of government operations. Even with this position currently empty, members of the government have said that the budget should be presented by September.
The current Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, is in the process of discussions with senior officers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Energy Department, the Guyana Gold Board and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).
He is looking to correct instances of significant wastage and abuse of resources within these sectors.
The Office of the President will have oversight because Natural Resources are one of Guyana’s largest and most important sectors, especially with recent oil production.
