Patterson says money paid into his account was reimbursement for attending China conference

David Patterson

May 18 2019

Source

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson yesterday said that the US$9000 that was deposited into his account in 2017 was a reimbursement for his attendance at a conference in China and he expressed worry at the ability of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to access his personal information.

Patterson provided an explanation via his Facebook page one day after the PPP posted the information on social media. In a Facebook post on Thursday, the party said “In February of 2017, US$9000 was deposited by China International Contractors into the personal bank account of Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.”

The minister in his post said that in April 2016, via the Chinese Embassy in Guyana an invitation was extended to him to attend and make a presentation at the 7th International Investment and Construction Forum in Macao, China. A copy of the invitation was attached to the post.“The organizers committed to reimburse travel related expenses up to US$10,000. Cabinet permission was sought and received. The advance for the trip was paid by MARAD (Maritime Administration Depart-ment,” he said.

According to Patterson, he attended the conference, and sometime in 2017, a refund for his travels was processed and paid to him as the attendee. He said that he promptly remitted the money to MARAD. “This is not an unusual practice with regard to reimbursements for international travel,” he stressed.

“What is deeply worrying is that the fact that the PPP has illegally sought and obtained access to my personal financial details from a bank used by me or an agency that receives such information,” he said adding that he has instructed his lawyers to take the necessary legal actions against any offending party.

Facts or wickedness by the PPP, what's your take ?

Looks like US$$ spent  to hire US firm are working for the party.

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...linked-to-tampering/

Django posted:

Facts or wickedness by the PPP, what's your take ?

Looks like US$$ spent  to hire US firm are working for the party.

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...linked-to-tampering/

Bhai Django, I think is wickedness ... no . 

-Usually government pays for their Minister.

-a third world country minister spending $9000. US is peanuts.. nah bhai.

a wicked PPP wicked.

wha yo think nah man. 

Asking ayuh bhai !!!

Django posted:

Asking ayuh bhai !!!

A wicked yo wicked, yo waiting on We opinion, then yo gon say we always attacking... be fair man. You bath first nah. 

The minister in his post said that in April 2016, via the Chinese Embassy in Guyana an invitation was extended to him to attend and make a presentation at the 7th International Investment and Construction Forum in Macao, China. A copy of the invitation was attached to the post. “The organizers committed to reimburse travel related expenses up to US$10,000. Cabinet permission was sought and received. The advance for the trip was paid by MARAD (Maritime Administration Department,” he said.

According to Patterson, he attended the conference, and sometime in 2017, a refund for his travels was processed and paid to him as the attendee. He said that he promptly remitted the money to MARAD. “This is not an unusual practice with regard to reimbursements for international travel,” he stressed.

Firstly, the minister provided a copy of the invitation to prove that he was invited to attend the conference. Will he also be providing evidence that MARAD paid for the trip (and not the GOG) as well as evidence that he did reimburse MARAD as he states here?

Secondly, when can we expect to see Gaskin's head on the block? Is this the genius that Granger appointed to improve Guyana's manufacturing industry? (With elections within a year, he (Gaskin) said it would not have been proper for the Government to create a long term position but rather a short term appointment that can dedicate itself to improving Guyana’s manufacturing and marketing of its exports.) 

There was a time not so long ago when President Jagan was criticized for staying with relatives and friends on overseas trips rather than splurge on government resources. Nowadays, politicians thieving and spending like drunken sailors.

Dave posted:

Django posted:

Asking ayuh bhai !!!

A wicked yo wicked, yo waiting on We opinion, then yo gon say we always attacking... be fair man. You bath first nah. 

Nah bhai, ayuh got info on Ministers Bank Account,  on the other hand Lawyers blocking investigators access to transactions on Public Accounts.

ksazma posted:

Firstly, the minister provided a copy of the invitation to prove that he was invited to attend the conference. Will he also be providing evidence that MARAD paid for the trip (and not the GOG) as well as evidence that he did reimburse MARAD as he states here?

Well bhai, appears Minister Patterson isn't a trusted fella, his word doesn't have weight like them folks who discovered the transaction by illegal means.

Note: My statement shouldn't be construed as condoning corruption.

Django posted:

ksazma posted:

Firstly, the minister provided a copy of the invitation to prove that he was invited to attend the conference. Will he also be providing evidence that MARAD paid for the trip (and not the GOG) as well as evidence that he did reimburse MARAD as he states here?

Well bhai, appears Minister Patterson isn't a trusted fella, his word doesn't have weight like them folks who discovered the transaction by illegal means.

It is not a good idea to trust the words of any politician in Guyana. This event took place in 2017 but in only being disclosed now. Worse yet, less than two days ago Gaskin was willing to put his head on a block in support of the notion that China did not deposit money into Patterson's personal account. So no one in the government knew that Patterson was in China or if they knew, they didn't know whether he was there on official GOG or personal business, whether the GOG paid for the trip or whether Patterson or someone else (including MARAD) did. And most of all Gaskin was certain that China did not pay Patterson for the trip. Gaskin obviously didn't know that Patterson reimbursed MARAD either.

For nearly two years, the government also hid the fact that they had received $18M from Exxon in 2016. No one should be over concerned by how the public finds out of the malfeasance of government employees.

Django posted:

Dave posted:

Django posted:

Asking ayuh bhai !!!

A wicked yo wicked, yo waiting on We opinion, then yo gon say we always attacking... be fair man. You bath first nah. 

Nah bhai, ayuh got info on Ministers Bank Account,  on the other hand Lawyers blocking investigators access to transactions on Public Accounts.

That’s what you / them  say. 

Dont you think someone who works in a bank has this info? PPP was in government fo 23 years.

Remember the Jagdeo questioning  by the CID ranks regards, calling Granger/ Naga Jackass  and yo said it’s lie.. a mischievous PPP mischievous. 

At that  time the contract was NOT  signed with the US firm, so how come to en say PPP hack police information. Facts or wickedness...

Django posted:

ksazma posted:

Firstly, the minister provided a copy of the invitation to prove that he was invited to attend the conference. Will he also be providing evidence that MARAD paid for the trip (and not the GOG) as well as evidence that he did reimburse MARAD as he states here?

Well bhai, appears Minister Patterson isn't a trusted fella, his word doesn't have weight like them folks who discovered the transaction by illegal means.

Note: My statement shouldn't be construed as condoning corruption.

But you did not condemn corruption by this government and you did not question the minister honestly. Yo think we are 3 years old . 

ksazma posted:

Django posted:

ksazma posted:

Firstly, the minister provided a copy of the invitation to prove that he was invited to attend the conference. Will he also be providing evidence that MARAD paid for the trip (and not the GOG) as well as evidence that he did reimburse MARAD as he states here?

Well bhai, appears Minister Patterson isn't a trusted fella, his word doesn't have weight like them folks who discovered the transaction by illegal means.

It is not a good idea to trust the words of any politician in Guyana.

This event took place in 2017 but in only being disclosed now. Worse yet, less than two days ago Gaskin was willing to put his head on a block in support of the notion that China did not deposit money into Patterson's personal account.

So no one in the government knew that Patterson was in China or if they knew, they didn't know whether he was there on official GOG or personal business, whether the GOG paid for the trip or whether Patterson or someone else (including MARAD) did. And most of all Gaskin was certain that China did not pay Patterson for the trip. Gaskin obviously didn't know that Patterson reimbursed MARAD either.

True to your first statement, one have to always look out for wrong doings especially in  third world countries, where checks and balances are hard to come by.

You are aware you are all over the place, believing the accusation. Patterson trip was published in the media in 2017 about his invitation to attend the event in China. Will look in to Gaskin statement at the press conference.

Django posted:

ksazma posted:

Django posted:

ksazma posted:

Firstly, the minister provided a copy of the invitation to prove that he was invited to attend the conference. Will he also be providing evidence that MARAD paid for the trip (and not the GOG) as well as evidence that he did reimburse MARAD as he states here?

Well bhai, appears Minister Patterson isn't a trusted fella, his word doesn't have weight like them folks who discovered the transaction by illegal means.

It is not a good idea to trust the words of any politician in Guyana.

This event took place in 2017 but in only being disclosed now. Worse yet, less than two days ago Gaskin was willing to put his head on a block in support of the notion that China did not deposit money into Patterson's personal account.

So no one in the government knew that Patterson was in China or if they knew, they didn't know whether he was there on official GOG or personal business, whether the GOG paid for the trip or whether Patterson or someone else (including MARAD) did. And most of all Gaskin was certain that China did not pay Patterson for the trip. Gaskin obviously didn't know that Patterson reimbursed MARAD either.

True to your first statement, one have to always look out for wrong doings especially in  third world countries, where checks and balances are hard to come by.

You are aware you are all over the place, believing the accusation. Patterson trip was published in the media in 2017 about his invitation to attend the event in China. Will look in to Gaskin statement at the press conference.

I wouldn't know what was published in the media if it was not covered here. It may be helpful if you can post the coverage from 2017 so we can see what was said about it. Maybe we will be able to see if the trip was reported as being paid for by MARAD or if the GOG paid for it. If all of that checks out, we would only be down to Patterson providing evidence that he personally reimbursed MARAD as well as how Gaskin seem sure that China did not deposit funds into Patterson's personal account.

$9000?

Please

Normal PNC propoganda

ksazma posted:

 

I wouldn't know what was published in the media if it was not covered here. It may be helpful if you can post the coverage from 2017 so we can see what was said about it. Maybe we will be able to see if the trip was reported as being paid for by MARAD or if the GOG paid for it. If all of that checks out, we would only be down to Patterson providing evidence that he personally reimbursed MARAD as well as how Gaskin seem sure that China did not deposit funds into Patterson's personal account.

Here you go 

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2...ructure-forum-macau/

Looks like Patterson will sue,

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...of-his-bank-account/

Regarding proof of spending, the Opposition  have avenues to request the transactions of Patterson trip to China from the Government, so far it's a smear campaign.

Django posted:

ksazma posted:

 

I wouldn't know what was published in the media if it was not covered here. It may be helpful if you can post the coverage from 2017 so we can see what was said about it. Maybe we will be able to see if the trip was reported as being paid for by MARAD or if the GOG paid for it. If all of that checks out, we would only be down to Patterson providing evidence that he personally reimbursed MARAD as well as how Gaskin seem sure that China did not deposit funds into Patterson's personal account.

Here you go 

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2...ructure-forum-macau/

Looks like Patterson will sue,

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...of-his-bank-account/

Regarding proof of spending, the Opposition  have avenues to request the transactions of Patterson trip to China from the Government, so far it's a smear campaign.

So now we only need Patterson to provide evidence that he reimbursed MARAD as well as why Gaskin was so willing to put his head on a block.

I wonder how the travel cost for the other GOG employees travelling with Patterson was handled.

For a moment I thought that django was going to get fired from slop can duties. But then the next post revealed his motives, to justify Patterson bribery of 9K US.    Sounds very fishy, he really expect us to believe that foreign govt making deposits to personal accounts are the norm.  Looks like a bribery to me, and now he is rushing to justify it. Soon we will hear that the 9k US reimbursement to MARAD was backdated. Let us see if the slopsters will be clamoring for the evidence of reimbursement much like they still obsessing over Irfaan's certification. 

Django posted:

ksazma posted:

 

I wouldn't know what was published in the media if it was not covered here. It may be helpful if you can post the coverage from 2017 so we can see what was said about it. Maybe we will be able to see if the trip was reported as being paid for by MARAD or if the GOG paid for it. If all of that checks out, we would only be down to Patterson providing evidence that he personally reimbursed MARAD as well as how Gaskin seem sure that China did not deposit funds into Patterson's personal account.

Here you go 

https://www.stabroeknews.com/2...ructure-forum-macau/

Looks like Patterson will sue,

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...of-his-bank-account/

Regarding proof of spending, the Opposition  have avenues to request the transactions of Patterson trip to China from the Government, so far it's a smear campaign.

Politics is all about smears bai. Happens everywhere. But since Patterson was so eager to provide a copy of an inconsequential invitation, he should be even more eager to provide evidence that he reimbursed MARAD. That will shut those PPP peoples up. 

there is mischief and hinting here of corruption involving China

no such

what happened here is standard operating procedure for such activities

the proper question is whether Patterson bothered to forward the US$9000 reimbursement money to MARAD

that is the ONLY question here requiring scrutiny

he said he did . . . we'll see

for dummies like kszama posting shakeabatty here, MARAD is a GOG entity operating under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure

ronan posted:

there is mischief and hinting here of corruption involving China

no such

what happened here is standard operating procedure for such activities

the proper question is whether Patterson bothered to forward the US$9000 reimbursement money to MARAD

that is the ONLY question here requiring scrutiny

he said he did . . . we'll see

for dummies like kszama posting shakeabatty here, MARAD is a GOG entity operating under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure

US$9000.00 for attending a useless conference to him? Patterson probably can't even nail to sticks to together muchless listen to the technology of construction.

https://www.facebook.com/afcgu...os/1895647843870590/

Dominic Gaskin statement at AFC press conference.

Gaskin should have told the reporter that it is better to ask Patterson about that. 

Patterson still need to provide evidence that he reimbursed MARAD for this trip especially since he was so forthcoming on providing a copy of the invitation which is of lesser consequence than the money issue.

ksazma posted:

Patterson still need to provide evidence that he reimbursed MARAD for this trip

thanks Captain Obvious

you figure out that MARAD is a Gov't entity yet . . . hmmm?

when you do, please post and let the board know

arite?

Looks like someone's hemorrhoids is acting up again. There are products available to ease your discomfort. Try them and calm down.

ksazma posted:

Looks like someone's hemorrhoids is acting up again. There are products available to ease your discomfort. Try them and calm down.

um, lesseee . . . here's Ksazma, GNI wannabe brown shirt bai braying earlier on the thread:

"Firstly, the minister provided a copy of the invitation to prove that he was invited to attend the conference. Will he also be providing evidence that MARAD paid for the trip (and not the GOG) . . .?"

doubling down on DUNCENESS here:

"So no one in the government knew that Patterson was in China or if they knew, they didn't know whether he was there on official GOG or personal business, whether the GOG paid for the trip or whether Patterson or someone else (including MARAD) did."

hmmm?

ronan posted:

ksazma posted:

Looks like someone's hemorrhoids is acting up again. There are products available to ease your discomfort. Try them and calm down.

um, lesseee . . . here's Ksazma, GNI wannabe brown shirt bai braying earlier on the thread:

"Firstly, the minister provided a copy of the invitation to prove that he was invited to attend the conference. Will he also be providing evidence that MARAD paid for the trip (and not the GOG) . . .?"

doubling down on DUNCENESS here:

"So no one in the government knew that Patterson was in China or if they knew, they didn't know whether he was there on official GOG or personal business, whether the GOG paid for the trip or whether Patterson or someone else (including MARAD) did."

hmmm?

 

Propriety demands a minister not receiving money directly into his account from foreign entities especially those looking to do business with the state. If the minister paid from his pocket it also matters not. Getting re-reimbursed for travel and expenses to an event by a foreign agency can by itself be seen as bribery. Those who give him permission or his office which would have benefited from the visit ought to be the one handling the expenses and any re reimbursement coming back to them. But here again there would be an inclination to hold the nose.  

Pathetic straw clutching on desperate display.

Stormborn posted:

Propriety demands a minister not receiving money directly into his account from foreign entities especially those looking to do business with the state. If the minister paid from his pocket it also matters not. Getting re-reimbursed for travel and expenses to an event by a foreign agency can by itself be seen as bribery. Those who give him permission or his office which would have benefited from the visit ought to be the one handling the expenses and any re reimbursement coming back to them. But here again there would be an inclination to hold the nose.  

not sure why your post includes my insults to Ksazma as part of this conversation

but let's proceed from facts not in dispute: the minister's trip was funded by MARAD . . . not out of his own pocket

i happen to agree with what you say about payment to private accounts

however, that is how the Guyana public service works . . . they need a better system with more accountability

as the head of his ministry, i can see the temptation to hold on to the reimbursement money . . . knowing that subordinates will be reluctant to press you on the issue as they do mercilessly with those lower on the bureaucratic food chain

it's called stealing from your employer

not prejudging, but i hope the minister realizes that any coverup of any lapses (backdating, etc.) would be infinitely WORSE than the 'crime'

China Chinaman don't give money for free. They expect at least 200 percent profit. Anyone who doubt me should ask them Pakis.