By Ravin Singh

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 arising, following the recent approval of an application to operate a dredge in her name. The President, during his weekly recording of “The Public Interest” this week, said that he was made aware of the situation by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and will be guided by the minister’s advice.

“The Minister of Natural Resources [Trotman] 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 President also referenced the draft Code of Conduct for ministers, which he said, guides how ministers function and if any situation of conflict of interest were to arise, he is confident that Minister Broomes will be put in another place or she would demit office.

However, he was keen to note that the situation has not arisen.
The allegations of conflict of interest resurfaced after it was revealed that approval of an application for Simona Broomes was granted to operate a dredge.

However, the minister had explained that it was her daughter who had applied as the two bear the same name.

In a document seen by this publication, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) had granted permission for the dredge to be operated at a property in Puruni.

Demerara Waves Online News in a report on Thursday stated that it was able to confirm that Edward Hopkinson, who is considered a veteran miner, had granted Broomes permission to mine on his property at Puruni.

Meanwhile, Minister Trotman sought to fend off criticisms, stating that he was not aware of the situation and it will be investigated.

He offered, however, that he did not see the minister attempting to mine on someone’s property as a conflict of interest since permission had to have been granted by the person.

He contended that if Broomes was using her office to gain an advantage over other miners, then that would have been a conflict.

NOT NEW

Minister Trotman explained that the issue of conflict of interest is not new and is one of the “occupational hazards” that the ministers face.

“I think Minister Broomes is acutely affected by it,” he said, adding that she has a mining background and wherever she goes, she is going to be dogged by this issue and accusations.

“We have looked at it. There was a transfer made and it was legitimate. I don’t know if people expected her to sell it out. Guyana is a small country and invariably we are going to come into contact with a friend, an associate or a relative and what is important is what you do. So a regular transfer of a dredge is not an issue that should raise eye brows,” Minister Trotman said.

He contended that if it were a case where she had approved applications for mining lands for her or her family, then that would have raised eyebrows since that is considered to be a benefit.

He also sought to highlight the duties of the Junior Minister, which according to him does not grant her the responsibilities in the areas of acquisition, application or revocation of lands.

“The President was clear in outlining the responsibilities of the minister; compliance with the laws and health and safety concerns. Those are the areas the President has asked the minister to be involved in,” Minister Trotman added.

Further, he reiterated that he [Trotman] had given an undertaking in January of this year to give attention in ensuring that the lines are not crossed by the minister (Broomes).

And acknowledging that the lines might sometimes become blurred, he noted that it is his function to ensure that there are no violations. “And presently there are no violations,” he said.

“I am aware of the criticisms and we are not dismissing the criticisms. But suffice to say that in this instance, the transfer was validly done and I think it was the proper thing to do. It is not wrong for the minister to apply to do the transfer. I have asked GGMC to do the investigation and report on the process for a transfer,” Trotman told reporters.

He also underscored the fact that by the Junior Minister’s very appearance in the ministry, she will be targeted.
“It happened in January and has been repeated in May and I think Minister Broomes is realistic enough to know this won’t go away, but strong enough to withstand it,” he stated.