2015 to February 8

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By Rehanna RamsayFormer Attorney General and PPP/C Member of Parliament,(MP) Anil Nandlall is calling on the APNU- AFC administration to come clean on the details of the arrangement and benefits offered to its honorary advisors, who were appointed shortly after the May 2015 General and Regional Elections.Nandlall is calling for an explanation on the matter in light of the recent controversy surrounding the appointment and subsequent removal of businessman Brian “BK” Tiwarie, from the position of honorary Ministerial Business Development Advisor.Tiwarie‘s appointment  came to light  after it was uncovered by the press that  the businessman, a  close associate of the former administration, had accompanied  Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on a trip to China to conduct State business.The news did not sit well wih members of the public who called for answers and Tiwarie’s removal.Harmon subsequently told Kaieteur News that Tiwarie’s appointment was a mere “honorific title.”  But it was only after significant public outcry that Tiwarie’s appointment was rescinded.Under the previous administration, Tiwarie ‘s company, BK International, one of Guyana’s biggest contractors in the field of infrastructure won several contracts, including one to construct the East Bank Demerara four-lane extension, the West Coast Demerara road improvement project and the troubled $600M Supenaam wharf, which is now facing problems and has to be repaired.Brian ‘BK’ TiwarieMinister of State, Joseph HarmonOpposition MP Anil NandlallHarmon later said 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 Minister said 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, Khemraj Ramjattan and the Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman gave advice, Harmon said it was agreed that such persons should be appointed as Honorary Ministerial Advisors and that a Certificate entitled “Instrument of Appointment … Ministerial Advisor,” would be issuedHarmon told the media via a statement that over the period October 6, 2015 to February 8, 2016, 34 persons were identified on the recommendation of the Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), the General Secretary of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the General Secretary of A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the Instruments were accordingly issued.He said that some of these appointments, particularly in the Diaspora, received wide publicity.However, it appears that the Opposition is not satisfied with the Government‘s disclosure on these “honorific appointments” with the former Attorney General highlighting the need for further explanation on the issue.In a recent statement to the press, Nandlall stated that in the interest of good, accountable and transparent governance,   the Coalition Government must disclose to the public, forthwith, the following information the names, qualifications, portfolio responsibilities and terms and conditions of appointment of the 34 “Honorary Ministerial Advisors.According to Nandlall, the APNU-AFC administration must explain the criteria used in selecting these individuals especially, when they would be representing the Government of Guyana in Foreign lands and like Brian Tiwarie, presumably, would have been issued with diplomatic passports.”He says that there should be clarity on the process, if any, was employed to determine whether these persons are of good character and are fit and proper to hold these high offices.“How much these persons are costing the treasury, monthly?” he asked adding that while they (honorary advisors) may not be paid a salary there is no doubt that there are costs which attach to the services which they render for which the Government of Guyana and by extension, taxpayers pay.The Opposition MP is also questioning the reason that neither the President nor the people of Guyana were informed of these appointments.“After all they are public officers.” Nandlall declared.