No tribunal for Hassan – Harmon

A tribunal will not be established to determine whether Nizam Hassan is fit to continue serving in his post as General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), though he is facing fraud charges before the court.

President David Granger however had sworn in a tribunal to investigate and recommend whether trade unionist Carvil Duncan, who was also facing fraud charges before the court, should continue as Chairman of the Public Services Commission and in his other constitutional positions.
Interestingly, though both public officials are facing fraud charges, they will not be facing similar repercussions.
Minister of State Joseph Harmon told media operatives during a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday that Hassan will not be treated the same way as Duncan.
“They are two distinct matters,” he said.
Hassan, the former General Manger of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC); and a female colleague, 34-year-old Felicia Desouza-Madramootoo, were on Monday slapped with fraud-related charges.
Hassan and Desouza-Madramootoo were charged with intent to defraud together with three others by continuously approving payments for substandard and faulty works during the rehabilitation of the GMC building at Robb and Alexander Streets, Georgetown.
Hassan and his co-accused were not required to plead to the indictable charge but were released on $250,000 bail each and have been ordered to report to the headquarters of the Special Organised Crime Unit every Friday.
Similarly, Duncan was slapped with charges of stealing and conspiring to steal from the Guyana Power and Light.
In light of his charges, a presidential tribunal was established to determine if he should be removed from his constitutional posts.
According to Government officials, it was unfit for a public official to continue to hold his position while before the courts on matters of such nature.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder said he is unaware of any plans to fire Hassan.
However, he disclosed that the GRDB Head requested some leave during this time and it was granted.
The court matter has been adjourned until December 7.