Latest update March 24th, 2025 7:05 AM
There are absolutely no possible conflict of interest issues in this instance
DEAR EDITOR,
I bought a copy of the Stabroek News on Monday and read with astonishment an article on possible conflict of interest issues pertaining to Minister Cathy Hughes’ membership in Cabinet and the fact that her husband’s law firm is setting up shop in Texas.
Initially, I did not think that there could have been an issue of conflict regarding the fact that her husband’s law firm would be seeking mostly legal and facilitation work out of the Houston, Texas area where Exxon is based. To me, that was simply a smart business move that any logically thinking management would undertake.
I do expect other types of Guyanese business entities would seek to do the same to offer one-stop shop services to companies headed to Guyana.
After reading the fears expressed that Mrs. Hughes could possibly throw work her husband’s way regarding laws being written to govern oil and gas, I therefore hold firm to my belief that there is absolutely no possible conflict of interest issues here.
For one thing, the AG’s chambers and its drafting unit deal mostly with laws which end up before Parliament and select committees, so I don’t see how she could have influence with anything to do with the law. The firm is simply putting itself in a position to garner business from individuals and firms interested in doing business in Guyana from the Texas end. Most of the business and patronage are being targeted from outside of Guyana, rather than in Guyana where the firm is well established.
Those crying wolf now and screaming that there is fire in the building, said precious little when the PPP Government lawlessly ensured the largest transfer of wealth from any Government to persons who favoured or were related to them.
There are many instances of open conflict during the PPP era. Nothing occurring now can even come close to what had obtained back then.
The two had been married long before we ever dreamed of oil and gas, and Hughes, Fields and Stoby has long replaced McKay and Moore and Luckhoo and Luckhoo as the leading law firm in Guyana. Should they simply step aside and allow others to set up shop in Texas, just because there is a small group in Guyana which thinks that Mrs. Hughes would throw tips and work her husband’s way? This is absolute nonsense.
Later, I read that the Minister had sought a legal opinion on how to handle the situation. This is not required by law. She also met all the requirements of the Integrity Commission. The firm was launched at a public ceremony for all to see. Nothing was hidden. I therefore ask the Stabroek News to produce similar types of editorials regarding alleged conflict of interest during the time of the PPP to debunk any perceptions that it has a hidden agenda.
Earl Hamilton
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