PPP/C chief whip Gail Teixeira says that the present government is fast becoming the least transparent administration Guyana has ever had.
Speaking at a press conference held at Freedom House on Thursday, Teixeira referenced the recent revelation that Brian Tiwari, owner of construction company BK International, had been appointed ministerial advisor on business development since January under the signature of Minister of State Joseph Harmon. Tiwari’s appointment has since been rescinded.
The appointment raised concerns about the basis on which it occurred and for the fact that it was never publicly announced but was revealed in last Monday’s Kaieteur News.
Teixeira stated that during the last budget debate the opposition PPP/C had requested that the names and employment details of presidential and ministerial advisors be revealed but was refused.
“Minister (Raphael) Trotman stood up and said ‘we don’t have to give names’ but there is precedent. (Late AFC MP) Sheila Holder had, when they were in opposition, demanded the names of all the advisors and their salary that is how you all knew how much Odinga (Lumumba) and I made in 2010,” she said.
According to Teixeira, the present government is developing a “habit of not telling people anything until you suddenly wake up one morning and find it,” which puts the country on a slippery slope.
She said there are several other advisors whom the country knows nothing about. She particularly identified former leader of the PNCR Robert Corbin, as well as several overseas advisors.
“Who are these advisors? What are their employment terms? Are they being paid or not? We know nothing about these people, we know nothing about their qualification or suitability to perform the duties they have been given,” she said.
Asked if their concerns would still hold if the appointments were honorific, Teixeira asked, “Is half a million honorific?”
She maintained that in the case of Tiwari his appointment was not honorific as it came with money and other perks such as a diplomatic passport.
She further noted that authoritative power comes with an honorific title.
“I can do things with a title; I hold sway with a title. I can open doors and I can close doors,” she said.
