Dear Editor,
As was reported in the news media, Joseph Harmon, Minister of State had appointed Brian Tiwari as a Ministerial Adviser on Business Development on January 19, 2016. He was also officially part of Minister Harmon’s delegation which went to China recently on state business.
Mr Tiwari’s appointment was not approved by President Granger nor was his cabinet aware of the “honorific title” accorded him as was subsequently reported. During his short tenure as adviser, Mr Tiwari would have had access to sensitive confidential state information. Further, his appointment was unethical as he is the largest government contractor with a checkered past as his company, BK International has outstanding financial obligations to the government in relation to such contracts as the Supenaam Stelling which he executed poorly and with large time and costs overruns.
President Granger and his APNU+AFC government were elected to serve Guyanese as anti-corruption advocates with transparency and accountability as their hallmark. It is inconceivable therefore that Minister Harmon without the government’s agreement would appoint Mr Tiwari who was part of a group during the PPP/C administration which benefited handsomely from state resources. He has since apparently shifted his allegiance.
There is also the developing GRA/Baishanlin scandal and other deals for which Minister Harmon may have some answers for President Granger and Guyanese generally.
The writing is on the wall and President Granger will have no alternative but to relieve Minister Harmon of his duties since he has crossed the boundaries of good and responsible governance. After all, the APNU+AFC was elected to serve the people of Guyana and not for the purpose of enriching themselves, as had been the trait of the previous administration.
Yours faithfully,
Charles Sohan
