St George’s Grenada December 11th, 2011 -- The New National Party is alarmed that under the watch of Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas who preached (although somewhat lamely as of late) of transparency and accountability, that acts of violation of the peoples' trust and misuse of their assets seem to be allowed to go on unabated. 
 
The allegation surrounds Dr. Hugh Sealey the energy advisor to the Minister of Finance Hon. Nazim Burke. Dr. Sealey who is also the brother in law of the Minister of Finance has been employed since October 2008 to present as the – Energy and Sustainable Development Advisor. 

What is of particular concern to the people of Grenada Carriacou and Petite Martinique and the NNP are:  Why is Dr. Sealey being paid as Advisor to the Government of Grenada on Energy and yet be paid again as the lead consultant and author for Isada Consulting, contracted to prepare Grenada’s National Energy Policy

  Why did the Minister for Finance agree to such an arrangement in which Dr. Sealey, his Adviser on matters of Energy, would also be the chief consultant and author on behalf of Isada Consulting a Babados base company who prepared Grenada’s Draft National energy Policy which, besides from being paid twice, allowed Dr. Sealy to review the work of the consultant - i.e., his own work? 

Mr. Prime Minister the people also wants to know, who reviewed the reviewer on behalf of the Government and people of Grenada to ensure that the policy is beneficial to us?  By whom were the consultants chosen? Was it by the Minister of Finance alone or did the entire NDC government participate in this decision? How much is being paid to Dr. Sealey? 

Was the process to contract the services of the consulting firm open and transparent? Why is Dr. Sealey using work paid for by the People of Grenada, making the State owner of all property and propriety rights, to further his academic standing and thus increase his earnings from some of the many jobs he holds - such as Lecturer at the St. George University? What other benefits go with his Advisor job at the Ministry of Finance and Energy?
 
When the NNP accused the Government and the Minister for Finance in particular of corruption, conflict of interest and nepotism, many dismissed the claims as petty politics.  But as time will have it, it is now unfolding before our very eyes that these pronouncements of many moons ago were not about petty politics but protecting the assets and patrimony of the people of Grenada.  How many more alleged wrong doings surround the Minister for Finance, Hon. Nazim Burke?
 
The Prime Minister must explain why is it that Mr. Burke is allowed to use state resources to feather his, his immediate family and his brother in law's nests?  The Finance Minister's situation as perceived in many different quarters makes the action of the former Attorney General Mr. Jimmy Bristol who wrote a letter to the US courts on Government stationary asking for leniency for his step-son child's play. 

The latter case was so repulsive to the Prime Minister that he demanded Mr. Bristol's resignation forth with. Why is it so different with Mr. Burke?  Is it that there is some thing going on that we don’t know of? Why is Mr. Bruke allowed to use State resources as his private Business?
 
It was the same Mr. Burke who not too long ago while he was building his second home (or is it the fourth?) gave a reduction in VAT on building materials and supplies for six months, but later extended it to a further six months; this following a situation in which the first home was in difficulty just before NDC assuming government.

Was the tax extension as a result of his construction work being not yet completed?  Mr. Prime Minister, other than Mr. Burke, tell us who else benefited from the reduction in the taxes? The NNP calls on the Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas as a matter of urgency, to launch an investigation into the ministry of energy and the conduct of the Minister for Finance and report the findings to the people. 

Failing to do so Mr. Prime Minister, you run the risk of being shown up as aiding and abetting corruption and conflict of interest as are perceived here.  Sir, your claim of transparency, accountability and good governance, already under serious question, could be buried forever.
 

*************************
DISCLAIMER
 

This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not  correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers