Government yesterday identified the 33 persons who have been made honorary advisors as well as six appointed ministerial advisors and clarified that none had been given diplomatic status.
Minister of State Joseph Harmon made the disclosure at yesterday’s sitting of the National Assembly in written responses to questions by opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic parliamentarian Anil Nandlall.
The call for the full disclosure of the advisors came in light of the controversy surrounding the revelation in March that contractor Brian Tiwarie had been appointed as an advisor to Harmon on business. Tiwarie’s appointment, which was made in January, had not been made public. It was revoked by President David Granger just days after being made public. Harmon had subsequently revealed that Tiwarie had been one of 34 honorary advisors.
Harmon said none of the 33 honorary advisors are paid and their “relevant qualifications include their willingness to contribute to the struggle for improved governance.”
He listed their names as Ronald Albert, Rohan Somar, Joycelyn Williams, Ewart Marshall, Lawrence ‘Larry’ London, Jennifer Dougall, Errol Lewis, Anitha Cochran, Derrick Arjune, Aubrey Duncan, Lurlene Nestor, Beryl James, Yvonne Britton, Morris Wilson, Volda Forsythe, Eileen Rayman, Edith Bynoe, Basil Blackman, Dawn Simmons, Guliana Jacobs, Eustace Hope, Gordon Winter, Artie Ricknauth, Jerome Bulkan, Hazel Binger, Donna Lindon, Desiree Horne, Ovid Morrison, Veronica Munroe, Wayne Forde, Savitri Farley, Tamesh Lilmohan and George Williams.
He also detailed the names of the six ministerial advisors, their qualifications, portfolio responsibilities, terms and conditions of their appointment and remuneration. He said that the appointees were selected on the basis of their qualifications and experience.
The paid ministerial advisors are Kenneth Jordan, who is Ministerial Advisor on Public Infrastructure; Ndibi Schweirs, who is Ministerial Advisor on Natural Resources; Mervyn Williams, who is Ministerial Advisor on Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs; Lance Carberry, who is Ministerial Advisor on Constitutional Reform to the Minister of State; and Cheryl Sampson, and Allan Munroe, who are Ministerial Advisors on Education. Harmon said they were selected based on their qualifications and experience.
Their remuneration packages varied, with Munroe working as a ‘dollar a year’ employee ($1 per year) although he receives $180,000 and $20,000 in duty and entertainment allowances, respectively. His job portfolio requires him to advise the Minister of Education on all matters relating to the teaching service.
Munroe’s qualifications include a Master’s Degree in Education from the Queens University in Canada, a Certificate in Education from the Ontario College of Education, as well as a Diploma in Architectural Technology and a Bachelor’s of Technology Degree in Construction Management from the Ryerson Polytechnic Institute also in Canada.
Sampson, a trained teacher, is tasked with advising the Education Minister on all matters relating to early childhood as well as primary and secondary education. She earns $350,000 per month and is entitled to a gratuity of 22.5% her gross salary, a vacation allowance of a month’s gross salary that is non-taxable, and a duty-free concession on a vehicle.
Highest paid
The highest paid advisor is Jordan, who earns $600,000 per month. He is responsible for advising Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson on all matters relating to the financial administration of the ministry, especially in relation to international funding for public infrastructure.
His remuneration package includes provision for a 22.5% gratuity, a leave allowance of one’s month’s gross salary that is non-taxable, a grade ‘A’ travelling allowance of $11,730 per month, duty allowance of $5,500 per month, entertainment allowance of $5,500, housing allowance of $3,500 per month as well as paid telephone and internet services.
Jordan, who is also a trained teacher, holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from Dalhousie University in Canada and a Diploma and Degree in the Social Sciences from the University of Guyana.
Schweirs, who is acting lead negotiator on climate change, is to advise the Minister of State on all matters relating to climate change, the environment, natural resources, solid waste and conservation. She earns half a million dollars a month in salary and a total of $45,000 per month in duty, entertainment and housing allowances.
She is also afforded paid security at her residence; a government vehicle equipped with driver or can have a duty free concession on a motor vehicle and grade ‘A’ travelling allowance. She is also entitled to a 22.5% gratuity of her gross salary.
Her qualifications include a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Pollution Management from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from the University of Guyana, where she majored in Forestry.
Williams, who advises the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock on all matters pertaining to indigenous peoples’ affairs, earns a salary of $350,000 per month and is also afforded duty free concession on a motor vehicle along with the payment of his telephone service. He is also entitled to a leave allowance of once month’s gross salary, which is non-taxable, as well as a gratuity of 22.5% of his gross salary. He holds a diploma in General Management from the American Management Association and obtained five CXC subjects and two GCE subjects.
Carberry, a People’s National Congress Reform Executive and former parliamentary chief whip, advises the State Minister on all matters relating to proposals for constitutional reform.
Carberry’s gross monthly salary is $250,000 and he also benefits from a gratuity of 22.5% his gross salary. Government also covers his landline and mobile phone service.
He holds a Master of Science Degree in Management and Administrative Sciences from the City University of London as well as a Degree in Economics from the London School of Economics.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge told Stabroek News yesterday that “None of the advisors, appointed or honorary, have diplomatic passports or status and the Foreign Service only grants diplomatic passports to specified senior ministers.”
