Adding to the number of successful convictions secured in the past months, the Guyana Energy Agency has secured yet another conviction before the courts and continues to reinforce its commitment to stamp out the commission of offences under its legislation through robust enforcement.

On March 19, 2012, Lendrick Ramdowar and Steve Ramdowar, both of Bath Settlement, Berbice pleaded guilty to the offence of transporting petroleum in bulk quantity without the requisite licence contrary to the Petroleum and Petroleum Products Regulations enacted under the Guyana Energy Agency Act.

The defendants had been intercepted and jointly charged in 2007, but due to procedural constraints, the matter was aborted on two prior occasions. The defendants had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, but changed their plea at the last and final appearance before Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

The defendants were subsequently each fined $400, 000 bringing this ongoing matter to a favourable conclusion for the GEA which was represented by Special Prosecutor, Ms. Jaya Singh who had assumed control of the case after the migration of previous Special Prosecutor, Mrs. Donelle Harding-Hawke. .

This marks the second conviction within this month by the GEA for a licensing offence, and demonstrates the seriousness with which the Agency is responding to disregard for its regulatory framework. With such continued perseverance over the years and unwavering commitment to curbing the practice of fuel smuggling and intolerance for the contravention of the laws, this particular conviction is indeed a feather in the Agency’s cap.

The GEA thanks those who continue to cooperate with the licensing process and takes this opportunity to remind all licence-holders, whose licences have expired or whose licences will expire at midnight on April 30, 2012 to renew their licences promptly to avoid prosecution. For further information and assistance, please contact the Licensing Division of the GEA on 226-0394.