Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 17, 2016 News
-as party distances self claims in Ministry of the Presidency statement
More than two weeks after Kaieteur News first broke the story of Minister of State Joseph Harmon’s
appointment of Brian Tiwarie as business advisor, the Minister offered an explanation, through a press release.
However, the Alliance for Change (AFC) has debunked the release, which stated that Tiwarie was one of 34 persons identified based on the recommendation of AFC leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, and the General Secretaries of the Peoples National Congress (PNC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
Calling the information supplied and carried in the state- run Guyana Chronicle misleading and erroneous, the AFC in its response emphasised that it was not consulted or informed of any advisors excepting four— Dr. Rohan Somar, Ron Alert, Ewart Marshall and Tameshwar Lilmohan.
The party noted that these appointments were widely reported in the media. The same cannot be said of Tiwarie’s appointment.
Tiwarie’s instrument of appointment dates from January 19, last, and was not in the public domain until two months later.
In fact, AFC stated that it had recommended Floyd Haynes for a similar Diaspora advisor appointment, but to date was not aware whether this request had been fulfilled.
“At no time was the party or any of its leaders aware of the appointment of Mr. Brian Tiwarie as Ministerial Advisor prior to the public revelation,” the party stated. “Following the public revelation of same, party Leader Khemraj Ramjattan raised the issue with President David Granger and the party supports His Excellency’s
decision to rescind the appointment.”
“The party reiterates that it was not consulted or informed of any advisor appointments other than those listed above.”
In the wake of public criticism and pressure after the appointment came to light, Harmon presented a statement to Cabinet which explained several controversial issues including the Brian Tiwarie appointment.
This statement had been approved and subsequently issued on Thursday.
In the statement from the Minister of State, it was noted that after the General and Regional Elections of 2015, many persons, who had indicated their deep interest in assisting the government and fulfilling its campaign promises were appointed to various positions.
The statement added that some of those persons were not interested in formal employment or receiving remuneration, but were willing to contribute.
“After some consultation, during which the Minister of Public Security and the Minister of Natural Resources gave advice, it was agreed that such persons should be appointed as Honorary Ministerial Advisors and that a Certificate entitled “Instrument of Appointment … Ministerial Adviser” would be issued.”
The statement went on to add that over the period October 6, 2015 to February 8, 2016, thirty-four persons were identified on the recommendation of the Leader of the AFC, the General Secretary of the Peoples National Congress (PNC) and the General Secretary of A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the
Instruments were accordingly issued.
According to the statement some of these appointments, particularly in the Diaspora, received wide publicity.
“Mr. Brian Tiwarie, upon the recommendation of the General Secretary of the APNU, was one such person identified and issued with an instrument.
“I was subsequently advised by the President, who was not aware of all the appointees, that he was not in agreement with this one and that the appointment should be rescinded on March 24, 2016.
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