Head of State, David Granger has made it clear that Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes will demit office if there is conflict of interest following the transfer of a dredge to her children.

The President, during his weekly recording of The Public Interest, said that he was made aware of the situation by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and will be guided by his advice.

“We have a draft code of conduct and if any situation were to arise, I am very confident she [Broomes] would be put in another place or she would demit office but that situation hasn’t arisen at the present time,” the President asserted.

He explained that the issue was investigated and Trotman took the necessary action.

“The functions she performed at the Ministry does not necessarily come into conflict with the fact that her children own that property. Minister of Natural Resources is an experienced Attorney and I’ve asked him for his views and I will be guided by his advice but at present I do not see any need to remove her,” President Granger said.

The issue arose after Broomes decided to transfer her dredge, which has been out of operation for a number of years, to her children.

At a recent press conference, Broomes said, “I transferred a dredge… I did not transfer a Mining Permit (MP) to my daughter… a dredge is what I transferred…that is all I transferred,” she added as she explained that the dredge has been in existence for decades.

The Minister added that the allegation of conflict of interest is vexatious, as she has no role to play in the granting of permission to mine. Broomes applied for the transfer of the dredge to her children, one of whom bears the same first and last names, as she.

Broomes added that her children, who are involved in the industry have no choice but to comply with the laws. She said her position as a minister would not grant them special privileges.