MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has defended his credibility in the face of mounting criticisms. He is contending that the organised campaign to damage his reputation will not affect how he performs his duties as minister. Against the backdrop of the criticisms, the Government’s coalition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC) at a retreat on Sunday has called for the trimming of his powers.

Harmon has come in for criticism regarding the details of his recent business trip to China and his reported interference with a law enforcement operation which was being executed by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). These events preceded the minister appointing a prominent businessman as a Government advisor.

It was revealed earlier this month that Harmon, unknowing to some Cabinet members, had appointed businessman Brian Tiwari as an advisor on business, even though Tiwari is said to have had close ties with the former administration. The appointment was subsequently rescinded by President David Granger, who noted that Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin is sufficiently competent to function in that portfolio.

Following this, locally-based Chinese logging company Bai Shan Lin, which is said to have been evading taxes, was on the GRA radar and a special operation was launched to seize a number of luxury vehicles imported by the company. It is alleged that before those vehicles could have been seized by the GRA Customs Department and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the body received a call from Minister Harmon, instructing that the vehicles should not be removed.

More recently, the minister was heavily criticised for omitting to disclose the participation of Bai Shan Lin in his recent trip to China. Initially, his press secretary Malika Ramsey released a statement that sought to set the record straight about the controversial trip. A photo subsequently appeared on the front page of Sunday’s Kaieteur News showing Minister Harmon in the company of representatives of Bai Shan Lin. That photograph attracted criticism of Minister Harmon, who, when in opposition was very critical of Bai Shan Lin, even going as far as to say that the company had been stifling Guyana’s development.

ORGANISED CAMPAIGN
In light of these criticisms, the Minister of State, in a statement on Sunday, reacted by deeming the criticisms an “organised campaign” aimed at his reputation. The minister stressed that he has always felt that it was the people who had elected him, and the people who had elected the coalition Government, and it is the people who should decide whether or not that Government is performing.

“Not one or two newspaper columnists or one or two persons who write newspaper articles,” Harmon said.

Minister Harmon also said in his response that he respects the decision of the President, which is that the Minister of Finance has sole responsibility to deal with the issue involving the seizure of the two vehicles.

TOO MUCH
Meanwhile, key leaders of the Alliance For Change (AFC), a key ally in the coalition Government, at a retreat to review the party’s performance, are of the view that current difficulties which the Government has encountered in the continuing revelations arising out of the appointment of the Advisor on Business Development and the related issues have their roots in the concentration of the powers of the office of the Cabinet Secretary, the Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency, and the effective Head of the Presidential Secretariat in a single person.

“The responsibilities of each of the above portfolios are substantial and of critical importance to the smooth operations of the Government, and would benefit from separate appointments.

“The Alliance For Change has mandated its leadership in Cabinet to have these issues raised and addressed as a matter of national importance.

“The AFC is committed to responsible and transparent governance, and looks forward to the conclusion of the Code of Conduct for Government Officials and the application of same,” the party said in a statement.

COMMITMENT
The AFC also reiterated its commitment to the Coalition Government while recognising that the principles of good governance, transparency and equal opportunities are fundamental to the success of the coalition.

The party also said that the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the death of Dr Walter Rodney should be released to his family, and that the party supports its early release to the public.

The AFC is of the view that the report affords the country an opportunity to address a difficult period of its history, and hopes that the report forms the basis for national healing and reconciliation.

The coalition member is also of the view that the series of audit reports into apparent irregularities in various Government agencies should be supplemented by a review by experienced independent international forensic auditors, and thereafter be submitted to high quality external professional, independent legal advice with a view to proceeding to prosecution where warranted.