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Two weeks later…National Assembly, MPs still await bond storage contract from Norton
Former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall is concerned over the fact that the embattled Minister of Health, George Norton, is yet to make good on his promise to provide a copy of the Drug bond rental contract to all Members of Parliament (MPs).
Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton
Yesterday, Nandlall told Kaieteur News that he recently wrote to the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs inquiring about the availability of the contract.
Nandall reminded the Clerk of Norton’s promise made August, 8 in the Committee of Supply.
“He said that he will deliver a copy of the infamous rental agreement for the controversial building rented at $12.5 million monthly, to be used as a storage bond by the Ministry of Public Health. He said he will do so ‘very shortly’,” Nandlall said.
The Parliamentarian said that two weeks have elapsed but he and his colleagues on the opposition benches continue to wait for the contract.
Nandlall said that the Clerk indicated that the contract is yet to be delivered.
In his response to Nandlall, Isaacs also indicated that he has since reminded the Minister of Public Health of his promise to furnish the rental contract. “As soon as same is received, it will be forwarded to all Members of the National Assembly.”
It was some two weeks ago that Norton was grilled extensively by members of the Opposition over $25M which was taken from the Contingencies Fund. It was revealed the sum was used as part of a security deposit for a warehouse in Sussex Street. This bond is owned by Larry Singh of Linden Holdings Inc.
The political opposition was able to show that Dr. Norton’s statements were just not adding up in a number of areas.
The Contingencies Fund is only supposed to be accessed when there is an unforeseen circumstance.
Using the Fund would mean that Government never made any provision for it in the national budget and using tax dollars to address the matter would be needed or else it would jeopardize the public’s interest.
With this in mind, Norton was asked by the Opposition to state what was the “urgency” in using the Fund since it appears that the $25M advance does not meet the requirements. Norton said, “This has never been paid before because we only during this year were asked to pay for rental of a particular storage facility.”
Given that response, Norton was reminded by the Opposition that there was already a $31M provision that was voted for in the budget for the rental of buildings. He was then asked to say why a decision was taken to use the emergency fund instead of coming for a Supplementary provision.
This course of action requires parliamentary approval for moneys first before it is spent by a particular ministry or budgetary agency. But Norton said, “I have answered that question already.”
Norton was also asked for the location of the Linden Holding Company and who are the principals of that company. He said, “Linden Holding Company is a company that we deal with not the individuals.”
Pressed to say who the principals of the company are Dr. Norton said, “That information can be had very easily.” He added, “The Linden Holding Company has a business that is located in 176 Middle Street Georgetown.” Dr. Norton was asked again who the principals are and when the company was registered. He still did not provide this but chose to do so at some other time.
Asked for the monthly rental to the Linden Holding Company, Norton said it is $12.5M. Norton said, “The Government of Guyana was paying NEW GPC $19.2M per month for rental storage so we had to find another means of storage.”
New GPC subsequently submitted a statement to the media in which it denied ever charging a rental fee of $19.2M, but had offered its warehouse for the past decade, free of charge.
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