Junior Minister of Natural Resources Simona Broomes’ holding of mining lands have raised questions of whether there is any conflict of interest with the government’s draft code of conduct for ministers or the course of action should such a situation arise.
President David Granger last week said he was unaware of Broomes’ relationship with Australian mining company Troy Resources Limited. He had been asked if there is a conflict of interest in having Broomes moved to the Natural Resources Ministry given that she has a continuing relationship with TRL.
Asked if steps will be taken to deal with this conflict if it is confirmed, Granger said “if there is a conflict I would want it to be brought to my attention but I am not aware of any conflict of interest at this point in time.” Later, at a press conference held by the Natural Resources Ministry on the work done last year and what is to be expected this year, Broomes said that she sees no conflict of interest.
“I don’t see it as a conflict of interest. I have three mining properties in the Issano and Pharsalus and I had a contract gone back years and if they are to mine the area it is simple, we come back to the table, if I am to get a percentage or if they are going to buy me out and that is simple. I don’t see any conflict of interest there and that is very straightforward”, she said. Pharsalus Gold Inc is a subsidiary of Troy Resources Inc.
Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman later interjected saying that Broomes has rightly said that there is no conflict. He said that she is not the only minister who has mining properties or business interests adding that many former ministers have vast financial and business holdings. “In the event that there is a perception or likelihood of a conflict…I will take over and ensure that she is insulated and kept at arm’s length,” he said.
This statement in itself was a tacit admission that there may be occasions when a conflict of interest might arise.
According to the draft Code of Conduct for ministers, it is the personal responsibility of every Minister, Members of Parliament and public office holders to understand and comply with the Code of Conduct, in particular by conscientiously avoiding any conflict of interest, and making declaration and seeking prior permission from the Government in accordance with the Code in any case of exception.
The code says that a conflict of interest situation arises when the “private interests” of the public office holder compete or conflict with the interests of the State. “Private interests” mean both the financial and personal interests of the official and staff or those of their connections including family and other relations; personal friends; other companies or business interests which they hold or own (both in part or in whole); other clubs and societies to which they belong; and any person to whom they owe a favour or are obligated in any way.
“Ministers, Members of Parliament and public office holders should avoid using their official position or transmitting any information made available to them in the course of their work to benefit themselves, their relations or any other individuals with whom they are associated. They should avoid compromising themselves or their office and which may lead to an actual or perceived conflict of interest. Failure to avoid or declare any conflict of interest may give rise to criticism of favouritism, abuse of authority or even allegations of corruption. In particular, Ministers, Members of Parliament and public office holders involved in the procurement process should declare conflict of interest if they are closely related to, or have, or will likely be perceived to have, beneficial interest in any company or transaction that would result in the award for the supplies of goods and services to the state,” the document says.
Last week Stabroek News reported that five months after it was presented to Cabinet, a Code of Conduct for ministers is still to be finalised.
Questioned on the matter during a press conference on Wednesday, Trotman said while some feedback was received, some agencies and non-governmental organisations have asked for further time to submit their responses and they have been given up to the end of this month to submit their responses.
The Code of Conduct was presented to Cabinet since July last year. In November, Trotman said government was hoping to receive feedback from civil society on the document in the coming weeks.
