ADDRESSING a few hundred supporters of the People’s National Congress (PNC) under gloomy conditions at the Stabroek Market Square last evening, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) General Secretary and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, made a declaration that he is going after the ‘big fishes’ who are responsible for acts of corruption as has been alleged in the past. This disclosure by Harmon comes at a time when forensic audits are being conducted at state agencies across the country. According to the General Secretary, who engaged an eager, and responsive crowd, the APNU+AFC two-month-old term in Government has revealed “all sorts of irregularities.” He explained that the auditors, who are currently engaged, are coming to a situation where they are discovering monies. As such, he pleaded with the citizens to execute patience as the Government seeks to unearth these irregularities which had been hinted at. But according to Harmon, he doesn’t want the “lil’ fishes” that are guilty of exploiting and manipulating the system to favour them. In fact, what he wants are the people behind the small fishes who are the bigger fishes. But to capture these ‘bigger fishes’ a hopeful Harmon said that it would require more time, hence the need for patience on the part of the people. Using an analogy to convey his point, the fiery General Secretary said, “If you want to find a man with a spliff, you can just go round the corner; the police does that. But it’s the people who are providing the spliff and the people providing the doors are the once we have to find. So the point I’m making to you is that it takes a little longer to get up that ladder.” As it is currently, he said that the Government is at the bottom of the ladder and are being exposed to what has been going on over the years. Simultaneously however, they are “climbing the ladder” which he described as more difficult, as there is a greater need for the exertion of energies. Assuring those in attendance that the APNU+AFC Government remains committed to working in the interest of the people, the Minister related that the onus is now on the Government to ensure what belongs to the State is used to benefit the State and the people. Diverting from the point of State resources, he expressed to the gathering that contrary to popular belief, the Government is not afraid of proposed Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. In fact, he rhetorically posed the question of who wants Jagdeo as an Opposition Leader, responding with “definitely not we.” Linking the criminal enterprise to his ‘big fish’ comment, Harmon stated that it is his belief that following ongoing revelations being made by self-confessed former ‘Death Squad’ member, Sean Hinds, on the murders of several known political figures, a “different story” will surface. “When known criminal characters reveal their backward linkages, or as we call them, the intellectual authors of crime, then we may have a different Guyana” the General Secretary said, adding that, Guyana will become a more lawful place. He further assured that those who are responsible for the killings of their brothers, sisters, and fellow citizens, during 2002 coming forward, will be brought to justice. Just recently, bodyguard of former Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall had been fingered in the execution-style killing of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing which took place on March 10 of this year. Nandlall subsequently distanced himself from the suspect, Rajput Narine, stating that he was employed as his bodyguard on March 15 – five days after the execution of Crum Ewing – but had his employment ended prematurely due to unsatisfactory preformance. He denied any involvement in the death of the activist.

By Ravin Singh