With former Demerara Harbour Bridge Manager, Rawlston Adams currently facing a charge of financial fraud, Shadow Minister for Culture, Youth and Sport Jermaine Figueira, has stated that he should step away from roles in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) including that of Chair of its Financial Committee.
Figueira, who serves as APNU+AFC Member of Parliament says the image of the GFF could be smeared given the severity of the allegation against Adams.
In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport, Figueira said: “The image of any organisation given the nature of such allegation is not going to be viewed in a positive light, but I am confident that given the nature of the allegations the GFF will engage in discussions on this matter and it will happen in due time and their leadership will make a decision in the best interest of the federation.”
Adams, who is also Vice-President of the GFF, along with former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, were charged on January 25 with defrauding the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) of $162,635,015 from the entity’s Asphalt Plant Account.
The two are charged with defrauding the entity in relation to a contract that was awarded to Dutch firm, LievenseCSO, to conduct a feasibility study and design for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge between Houston, East Bank Demerara, and Versailles, West Bank Demerara. The charge was brought by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), a branch of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Figueira emphasised that while Adams has been charged he is innocent until otherwise proven guilty in the court of law. He added, “The GFF VP under the law is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. At present it is alleged that a number of ex and present GFF officials are tainted and as such when the time comes all should be treated as equals.”
Asked if the GFF should address this matter given its severity as it relates to a high ranking official in the football community, he responded, “I am persuaded that given the publicity of the allegations, the GFF can address the issue as its rules in the constitution allow, but it must be done in recognition that VP Adams is not yet found guilty of a crime.”
According to Figueira, in the interest of transparency, the federation can ask Adams to step away from his roles within the federation until the matter is resolved.
Adams has also faced questions about an expensive bracelet that he approved for himself funded with harbour bridge funds. As a result of questions raised about his performance and other matters, he was removed from his post as General Manager of the DHB.
