HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, has categorically rejected allegations that he authorised illegal exports of dolphins and anteaters from Guyana.
At his weekly post-Cabinet news conference yesterday, he stressed that he had no authority over the Board of the Wildlife Management Authority (WMA) and said suggestions that he was providing instructions to the wildlife body were a “misconception or falsification.”
He explained that his association with the WMA was merely to provide advice, guidelines and solicit information as it is under the purview of the Office of the President.
Asked whether an investigation would be mounted into alleged illegal exports of wildlife by McNeal Enterprises with which the Presidential Adviser on Empowerment, Mr. Odinga Lumumba is associated, Luncheon said that was “entirely a matter” for the WMA Board to decide on.
Explaining what may have prompted President Bharrat Jagdeo to mull shutting down the wildlife trade, he said earlier irregularities and frustration over insufficient reforms governing the trade may have influenced the President to think in that direction.
However, he noted that the trade was previously closed when it was under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture, to institute reforms to curb illegal practices.
The WMA Board has fired Head of the Wildlife Unit, Khalawan (only name) stating that it had lost confidence in him as an employee.
The board claimed Khalawan had exceeded his mandate and caused several species of wildlife to be exported without the requisite approval and consistently withheld this information from it.
The WMA also said that the problems had marred Guyana’s reputation in the wildlife export trade, but reassured that it plans to continue to manage the wildlife resources in a sustainable manner.