I take full responsibility for misleading the nation

Aug 27, 2016 News

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– Minister Norton apologises for drug bond fiasco, but still unconvincing with critical details

Weeks after he delivered contradictory statements in the National Assembly – the highest legislative forum in the country – Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, has apologised, taking “full responsibility for misleading the nation” on spending for a drug storage bond.
His apology came as a result of recommendations that were made by a Cabinet sub-committee – comprising Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon – which was tasked to probe the questionable transaction involving the bond, located on Sussex Street, Charlestown – the epicentre of the controversy.
The bond was rented from Linden Holdings Inc., a company that is linked to businessman, Lawrence “Larry” Singh for $12.5 million monthly.
The deal was signed between the Ministry of Public Health and Linden Holdings Inc. on June 1st, 2016 and is for three years, with the possibility of renewal.
The rental of the bond only came to light after Minister Norton was asked by the Opposition on August 8th, in the National Assembly, to explain a $25M spending.
He explained then that Government only took the decision to rent the Sussex Street building because of the hefty rent of $19.2M charged by New GPC.
However, New GPC refuted it ever charged Government for the use of its bond.

The Minister also incorrectly told the House that the rented facility met World Health Organization standards.
Grilled by the Opposition to indicate what process was used for the procurement of the Sussex Street facility, Norton insisted that the exorbitant New GPC rent caused his Ministry to bypass public tendering processes.
Checks by the media found no drugs being stored at the Sussex Street facility, and as a matter of fact, it was still under construction.
The statements immediately drew fire from the Opposition, with the Government announcing that it would investigate at the Cabinet level.
The Cabinet sub-committee recommended that Minister Norton issue a public apology, and the contract reviewed.
Yesterday, during a press conference at the Parliament Buildings to offer his apology, Minister Norton said that he made statements based on “advice” given to him.
BADLY ADVISED
“On Monday, August 8, 2016 during consideration of the estimates in Financial Papers Number One and Two of 2016, I was questioned extensively by the Members of Parliament representing the PPP/C (and) in the process, I gave answers that were in some parts based on my personal knowledge and ability, and in other parts, based on information and advice presented to me.”
Dr. Norton said that since then he has come to the firm position that the answers given to two questions relating to the payment to New GPC, and the storage of drugs in the bond, were not accurate. Rather, these were based on information that was supplied to him.
“In these circumstances, I wish to extend my sincere and profound regret to His Excellency, Brigadier David Granger, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; Honourable Barton Scotland CCH, MP, Speaker of the National Assembly; Prime Minister Mr. Moses Nagamootoo and my Parliamentary colleagues of the APNU+AFC, members of the Parliamentary Opposition, and all others who were present or able to observe the process of the consideration of the estimates relative to payments to New GPC Incorporated and Linden Holdings Inc.”
He added that as the Minister of Public Health, he knows that a high standard of duty and care is expected of him and the staff of the Ministry of Public Health.
“So I take full responsibility for this unfortunate episode and give my full commitment that it will not recur.”
The Opposition, along with observers and commentators, had called for the Minister’s resignation.
Asked what he would say to persons who would believe that an apology is not enough and why his resignation should not be warranted, Norton responded: “I have been a health care giver for all of my professional life… for about three decades, even in my recently acquired position as Minister of Public Health, I continue to do so. I have admitted that I made a mistake of which I take full responsibility for, assuring you that every effort will be made that this will not recur and I am still committed to offering the delivery of health care to the nation.”
Meanwhile, the media fraternity took no prisoners as they grilled the Minister – who had at his side, Director of Public Information, Imran Khan – on the use of the building as a storage bond despite the Agreement of Tenancy clearly stating that the building be used as a professional office.
The Minister in responding to this query said that was “a technicality” that he might not be able to answer at the moment.
Asked how the owner of the building, Lawrence Singh, had learnt that there was a need by government for such a property and how the businessman became a part of this deal, Imran Khan interjected by saying that he thought that the question was a bit ‘unfair ‘to ask the Minister, and that the question should be directed to Singh instead.
After being continuously grilled, the Minister responded that he was unable to say.
The Minister was also asked how was it that Singh has purchased the building during the time the Government needed the bond and that the security deposit of $25M paid to Singh was the same price of the building that he had acquired, he stated, “I would not be able to answer that question.”
PUBLIC TENDER?
Asked if Cabinet is prepared to now go to public tender with the contract, Khan interjected by saying that at the moment there are the recommendations that were made by the Cabinet Sub-Committee which advised for future negotiations.
Questioned how long more, Khan said that there is no timeline.
And asked if he had by any chance made recommendations to scrap the project and start over, Dr. Norton said that he did not see it necessary and that he is comfortable with the bond, because he thinks that it has what it takes to store the medication in a proper way. However, he supports the reviewing of the contract.
The embattled Minister said that there is a lesson to be learnt from the issue – which comes at a difficult time – and that is, Government should be careful and perform due diligence with state contracts.
Khan said that there will be severe legal implications should the Government decide to scrap the deal altogether.
Meanwhile, the press conference erupted in an outburst of gasps when the Minister had admitted to submitting a written apology to the Speaker of the National Assembly, only to be discovered that this was not done.
“Was a written apology given to the Speaker?” asked a reporter.
“Yes,” Dr. Norton replied
Asked if a copy of the apology could be given to the media, he said that the apology was almost the same as he had read in his opening remarks.
When asked if he had a copy of the letter that was delivered to the Speaker because there were reports that no letter was delivered, he said that “If it is not there then shortly it will be there.”
Asked for a second time if he had submitted a written apology to the Speaker, he paused for a couple of seconds before saying, “No”.
“We’re in the process of doing so, we got to make some adjustments,” he said, before Khan bailed him out by saying that the Minister had met with the Speaker at 11 a.m. yesterday, where they had an ‘extensive’ half hour-long meeting, and that meeting was temporarily stopped to facilitate the press conference.
Khan, however, assured the media that the written apology will be handed over to the Speaker shortly.

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