More political advisers than ministers, time to get it right

Dear Editor,
It is quite unfortunate that Guyanese have had to deal with so many shortcomings of the new administration in the last 11 months. I think it’s safe to say that the damage done has been extensive.
What is more alarming is that the new administration does not feel the need to address the people adequately on these issues. Where is the president? Where is the man the people elected to lead this country? Where there is so much contradiction between members of his cabinet on various issues why has he not addressed the people in a timely and appropriate manner?
I wish to make specific reference to the recent controversy surrounding the appointment of Brian Tiwari as an Advisor. While this recent issue is surrounded and engulfed with problems, there is something more alarming we have not examined. Over the last 11 months, a number of advisors have been appointed to ministers and the President. As a matter of fact I believe there are more advisors than ministers with some ministers retaining two advisors.
It is quite strange that there was a recent war between members of the government in relation to the appointment of Brian Tiwari. First, the Guyanese people were not made aware of his appointment. Secondly, according to Tiwari he was not appointed as Advisor to the Government but as advisor to Minister Joseph Harmon and he was not being paid.
I am not sure we understand. If Tiwari was appointed as advisor to the minister was he not inadvertently appointed as an advisor to the government since Minister Harmon is a part and a major part of the government? Thirdly, why is there so much contradiction between Minister Harmon, the President and members of the AFC as it relates to the appointment? Even as they try to clear up all the questions, they seem to be creating more confusion.
I think the members of the new Government need to get their act together. Appointing advisors as they and they alone see fit will not fly with the Guyanese people. While some Guyanese may be unwilling to see through the nonsense being spewed, there are other Guyanese who are paying keen attention to every little thing being done and said.
I turn my attention to Raphael Trotman who has not made any significant contribution to the sector he is responsible for in the last 11 months. As a matter of fact, he has spent his time acting as the PR boy for the government.
I am starting to think he wants Minister Harmon’s job. As a matter of fact I am almost certain he is indeed gunning for the position and hence all the recent disagreements and controversy surrounding the appointment of advisors.
Many Guyanese may not be aware but Minister Trotman appointed a man by the name of Clayton Hall upon becoming minister. This was so when he was Minister of Government and now Minister of Natural Resources. Not only has he been appointed as an advisor but he has also been appointed as director on various boards around Guyana where he seems to be creating havoc and more or less micromanaging all board meetings even though he is not the chairperson of those boards.
Because of his closeness to Minister Trotman, the members have also been allowing him to carry on. Clayton Hall is a member of the AFC. He was also attached to the forestry commission some time ago where his performance was nothing commendable. Hall is also of age. He nevertheless sits down at the ministry and collects a fat salary monthly with benefits and travels throughout the world for various meetings.
A few months ago I wrote that Minister Trotman may not be well advised or knowledgeable of various things he should be aware of and now I am almost certain that this is as a result of the incompetence of his advisors.
Editor, there are persons within the ministry capable of advising Minister Trotman and there was no need to appoint so many advisors and waste taxpayers money. Additionally, if an advisor was to be appointed, the minister should have appointed someone more capable. He should have given the young people who voted for him an opportunity to fill the position.
I fail to understand why the minister would appoint an older, retired and seemingly unqualified individual to advise him. Is it because Hall has taken up the task of hounding businessmen into contributing towards the AFC or is it because he has over the years worked for the AFC and now it’s payback time?
Editor, advisors are being appointed and the Guyanese people who voted are not being informed. They are not being allowed an opportunity to voice their opinions. The new government needs to remember that their term in office is only five years and they should be cautious. Guyanese will not give them another chance if they continue to incompetently run this country.
All appointments of advisors should be made public. There should be a transparent process. These advisors are being paid by taxpayers and not ministers. All Guyanese and especially the young Guyanese should be given an opportunity to fill these vacancies.
It would be wise for the new government to remember that the people of Guyana put them there and pay their salaries and they have a duty to do the people’s work. If they are not competent and if the people are not in favour of them or have confidence in them then the President who has also been appointed by the people has a duty and an obligation to the Guyanese people to ask them to leave and fill those vacancies with competent persons.

Sincerely,
Tiana King-David