Up to 2017, Junior Minister Simona Broomes made payments in relation to a mining licence despite the fact that she was appointed to the Ministry of Natural Resources in January, 2016, according to information released by the ministry to the National Assembly.
Broomes’ involvement in a mining lease while being the Minister in the Ministry of Natural Resources would be seen as a conflict of interest.
Information on Broomes’ beneficial ownership in a mining licence and that of Minister in the Ministry of the Presidency Dawn Hasting-Williams was provided to Parliament by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman in response to a question from Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira.
Teixeira had asked whether there was beneficial ownership or interest, direct or indirect, by ministers in any mining or forestry licence.
Despite the sitting of the National Assembly being postponed yesterday afternoon, the written responses to Teixeira’s questions were still provided.
With respect to Broomes, Suction Dredge #1967 was registered on January 16th, 1996, with the last payment being made by her in 2017. It was transferred to Troy Broomes Jr. and Simona Troyanner Broomes on May 9th, 2016. This would have been five months after the Broomes was appointed Minister in the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Two sets of Specified Machinery were also registered jointly by Broomes and Troy Broomes on January 21st, 2008 and March 9th, 2011, with payments for both being last made in 2011. However, the answer stated that no Specified Machinery licence was issued for the former while the latter had its licence issued in 2015.
According to the document supplied by Trotman, Hastings-Williams had registered Suction Dredge #12594 on March 2nd, 2013 and the last payment was made in 2015 for this and no dredge licence was issued. It also disclosed that she registered a Residential Permission on September 21st, 2011, with the last payment being made in 2016 and the licence being issued in 2015.
The response went on to say that Trotman was advised that both ministers have relinquished all and any interest and control in the mining ventures.
Trotman’s response further stated that the Commissioner of the Guyana Forestry Commission has informed Trotman that there has been no issuance of any forestry licence to any minister, and as far as the Commission is aware, no minister has any beneficial ownership or interest, direct or indirect, in any forestry licence.
