Govt.’s handling of Harmon-related issues unsatisfactory

May 04, 2016 News

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–    Too many questions remain outstanding; these matters cannot be put to rest – Chris Ram
 “A democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency.”
This quote has been attributed to United States President Barack Obama, and for one prominent Guyanese, certainly does not represent the current state of affairs in the “Land of many waters”.

Attorney at Law, Christopher Ram, a believer in Obama’s mantra, is not satisfied with the level of accountability being delivered to the citizens of Guyana by the APNU+AFC coalition government.
The administration had presented itself to the nation as a fortress of change and a believer of accountability. However, Ram’s sentiment as conveyed to Kaieteur News yesterday is that he remains expectant, but the level of accountability that was promised is yet to be delivered.
Such sentiments were expressed as the lawyer spoke on matters surrounding the actions of the Minister of State Joseph Harmon.
Harmon, the most vocal politician on corruption while in opposition, was recently embroiled in a series of controversies.
The Minister’s trip to China has raised many questions. He was seen on a private jet surrounded by the Chu family—the owners of BaiShanLin. Accompanying Harmon on that trip was businessman Brian Tiwarie whom he had appointed Ministerial Advisor on Business Development. That appointment has since been rescinded by President David Granger.
Harmon had also halted a seizure operation – involving a number of high end vehicles – that was being carried out on BaiShanLin. The operation was being executed by the Guyana Revenue Authority in collaboration with officials from the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). These vehicles were being seized due to the fact that the Chinese company failed to pay the required duties within the legally stipulated timeframe.
But before officials from the GRA and SOCU could have carried out the seizures, they received a call from Harmon who instructed that the vehicles must not be removed.

Ram was quoted in sections of the media speaking out on both issues. He had said that there must be investigations and that the matters must be dealt with in a way to deter recurrence.
Yesterday the anti-corruption advocate said that he is not aware that there has indeed been any investigation; much less one that was through.
Ram said that it seems as if Cabinet is satisfied based on what it was told, but the nation remains at a loss.
“The nation is still not sure what the government has done. We know that a couple of statements were issued and that’s it.”
Ram said that this is not remotely satisfactory to settle a matter as serious as the one that rocked the nation to the extent that revelations of Harmon’s actions did.
He stressed that if anything, all those statements served to do was raise even more concerns and uncertainties.
“Citizens are left to speculate, we still do not know the sequence of events.  What prompted NICIL to send its legal Officer and a non-executive member to China?”
Statements released to the press indicated that Harmon visited China to retrieve an outstanding US$5M from the company that bought government’s 20 per cent shares in GTT. There has since been conflicting information surrounding even that development.
Ram is questioning in this age of technology why was it necessary for Harmon to visit China to find out about that sum.
The lawyer said that there are still too many burning questions that need to be answered before this matter can be put to rest. He emphasized that it is time that the country practice real transparency and accountability.
Ram also pointed out that the Transparency Institute was directed by President Granger to speak with Harmon after it made statements about the possibility of corruption existing in the new government. Ram said that a request was made and a statement will be forthcoming about the outcome of that request.
Initially, Ram had told Kaieteur News, “If there are breaches whether in GRA or in the Ministry of the Presidency then actions have to be taken by President David Granger to show that his administration is serious about stemming reckless, unlawful and/or corrupt behaviour in the bud.”
Several Government Ministers have declined to give on-the-record comments on the matter.
Harmon was noted in the media on several occasions lambasting BaiShanLin for its reckless operations in Guyana as well as the former regime for its encouragement of the company’s actions.
In fact, the Minister of State in 2014 had said that the former government has been silent about BaiShanLin’s “immoral and abusive acts” and “there can only be one logical conclusion for that—they are benefitting financially in exchange for allowing the rape to continue.
“Citizens need to understand the corrupt beast that it (former Govt.) is dealing with.”
He had said, too, “It is only a win-win deal for the parties involved and BaiShanLin’s kickbacks seem to have silenced the (former) government.”
It was Harmon who said that he found it sickening that former President Bharrat Jagdeo invited BaiShanLin to this country under the pretext that it was going to foster good developments, and all along the true intention was to rape this country of its resources.
Harmon had also said, “It seems that the (former) Government is being paid to shut its mouth…These companies are just being encouraged to gut this country, and indicators show that Guyana is slipping further into the abyss of poverty.”

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