PRESIDENT David Granger has affirmed that his longtime friendship with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, has not deterred him from instituting disciplinary action against him for his recent trip to China and other concerns.Speaking on his weekly programme The Public Interest, the President reiterated that Minister Harmon was not involved in any “shadowy deal”, as put forth by a Stabroek News reporter.

The President said Cabinet was satisfied with the explanation given by Minister Harmon, whose statements were provided as a result of a presidential request to provide same to Cabinet before engaging the media.

“He presented various statements, one with the GTT operation with NICIL, the circumstances under which he appeared in the aircraft travelling from city to city in (China). Those reports were presented to Cabinet and they were public; so yes, I’m satisfied that the conduct of the minister was above board, and Cabinet and the public have been informed,” President Granger affirmed.

He reiterated that the decision to not discipline Minister Harmon was made collectively by Cabinet, and it not based on his friendship with Harmon.

“The Cabinet is a collegiate entity. We are individuals, but decisions are taken collectively,” the President explained. “I am not a dictator, and there is no single instance in which something comes before Cabinet where only one person speaks or only one person has their way,” the President clarified.

He added that Cabinet’s decisions are guided by team spirit, and that is what carries the members through.

Minister Harmon had come under public scrutiny following his honorific appointment of Brian Tiwari as his personal advisor on business. That appointment was later rescinded by President Granger.

Harmon’s recent trip to China led to a photo being published of him on a private jet with officials from Bai Shan Lin Company. This company is currently under investigation by the administration.

Minister Harmon later made an official statement to clarify the issue. He stated that the Ambassador of China to Guyana, who was in the country at that time, had made arrangements for him to meet officials of four companies which had signalled their intention to make significant investments in Guyana. Those companies were located in Beijing, Shanghai, Hebei and Heilong Jiang Provinces. As a result of the distances involved and the limited time available on that trip, the Ambassador had made arrangements for those companies to provide transportation, both air and land, for the minister to travel to their respective Head Offices.