Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
Controversial photo of Harmon and investors…Harmon feels regret at jet flight in China–Trotman
By Kiana Wilburg
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, does not believe that a photograph showing Minister of State,
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman
Joseph Harmon posing with BaiShanLin executives on a private jet trip, constitutes a conflict of interest.
In fact, Trotman is of the view that there was nothing illegal about what the picture showed.
He made this assertion in response to questions which called on him to explain why neither the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, Minister Trotman nor any other government official was on the recent trip to China.
The Minister of Natural Resources asserted that Harmon had to travel to China to deal with a NICIL matter and his being in a jet ride is not uncommon.
He explained, “It is not uncommon that other matters came up on the trip. I may, for example, be in the USA for a particular matter and I may be asked to meet others as I have done quite recently.
“Persons wanted to invest in oil and gas and a range of other matters even though the purpose of my trip was completely different. So it is not unusual.”
With regard to the proposed Code of Conduct, Trotman was asked to say to what extent he is comfortable with Harmon’s trip as it relates to potential investors in Guyana.
He said, “Let us be real. Of course they say pictures tell a thousand words but it is not uncommon…there are levels of comfort and there are levels of discomfort and I think that the picture by itself of course was a very uncomfortable one to look at.”
The Minister continued, “But I think if you were to look at it, it is not uncommon in modern travel for the use of
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
a private jet. Exxon Mobil is operating in Guyana and has a fleet of helicopters at the Ogle airport.
“Should we be invited to go out to the rig, would it be inappropriate for the Government officials or the President to use that helicopter?”
Trotman said that the reaction to such situations would depend on the circumstances, but he has accepted Harmon’s explanation of the matter.
He said, “I am certain that he regrets that (the situation) has led to this.”
The Minister of Natural Resources said that while an official accepting an invitation on a private jet trip could be used for influence, he emphasized that there is no evidence to indicate that this is what took place in Harmon’s case.
With regard to his controversial trip, Harmon had explained that the Ambassador of China to Guyana, who was in the country at that time, made arrangements for him to meet officials of four companies, which had signaled their intention to make significant investments in Guyana. These Companies were located in Beijing, Shanghai, Hebei and Heilong Jiang Provinces.
Because of the significant distances involved and the limited time available on that trip, the Minister of State said that the Ambassador made arrangements for these companies to provide transportation, both air and land, for me to travel to their respective Head Offices.
He revealed that one such arrangement was made for him to visit Long Jiang Forest Industries Group, a Company situated in Heilong Jiang Province. The Long Jiang Forest Industries Group is a state-owned company that had acquired 55 percent of the shares in BaiShanLin and is intended
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon during a recent private jet trip with Executives of BaiShanLin.
to fully take over the company this year.
Harmon said, “Two officials from the Long Jiang Forest Industries Group, along with two officials from BaiShanLin, accompanied me on the aircraft on the flight from Beijing to Heilong Jiang Province to attend the meeting.”
“At the meeting, the Vice Director of the Company, Mr. Wong Dong Xu, in the presence of officials of BaiShanLin, gave the assurance that the Company’s officials will be in Guyana by May 2016 to complete due diligence for the takeover, and to satisfy and expand on the obligations of BaiShanLin to Guyana.”
The Minister of State emphasized that he used the opportunity to convey all of the concerns and expectations of the Government and people of Guyana with respect to foreign investment generally and those with respect to BaiShanLin in particular.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Bureaucracy gone bananas!
…Peeping Tom kaieteur News- Every morning, the government wakes up, stretches its arms, and spends one billion dollars... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
