AFC had no knowledge of Tiwarie’s Appointment, Ramjattan says

The Alliance For Change (AFC) last evening said that contrary to a statement attributed to Minister of State Joseph Harmon in yesterday’s Guyana Chronicle, it was never consulted on the controversial appointment of Brian Tiwarie as a ministerial advisor.

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan also told Stabroek News that of the 34 government advisors appointed between last October and February this year, only four were appointed by the AFC and none had been provided with diplomatic passports

DENYING suggestions that there is a rift in the coalition government, President David Granger has said what is being played out in the public domain is merely a “healthy debate.”
The AFC, second largest party in the six-party coalition that governs this country, said last Sunday it wants Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, stripped of some of his powers because of suggestions that he enjoys the status of a “super minister.”
The AFC arrived at its position after it was revealed that Minister Harmon had, without the knowledge of the President or the Prime Minister, appointed businessman Brian Tiwarie as his advisor on business. This appointment was rescinded once the President learnt of it.
President Granger has also expressed surprise at the AFC’s suggestion that Minister Harmon’s workload should be lightened. He said that when Cabinet responsibilities were discussed, no objection had been raised in regard to Minister Harmon’s workload.
During his weekly programme, The Public Interest, the President was asked about the perceived rift within the APNU+AFC, and he maintained that all six parties are as committed as ever to the success of the coalition.
“I don’t think what occurred is necessarily a sign of any form of antagonism. I don’t think it’s harmful to the coalition; it’s a healthy debate, so we will continue to have freedom of expression. I am leader of the People’s National Congress, and we have had discussions on a variety of issues,” the President noted.

Following reports of patients being turned away from the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, an investigation into the administration of the facility will be undertaken, Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton says.
“I am not happy with what is going on at Diamond. An investigation will be launched,” Norton told Stabroek News yesterday. His statement comes in the wake of complaints raised by persons including the husband of a woman injured in an accident at Coverden, East Bank Demerara during the wee hours of yesterday morning, that they were turned away from the medical facility.
The Coverden accident claimed the lives of 23-year-old Rudolph Bess and 16-year-old Hasranie Persaud.  “We took the lady to Diamond first and a nurse just peep out and say ‘Don’t bring she hay, dem ain’t gat doctor or nurse. Carry she Georgetown (GPHC)’,” one woman, Ingrid, recounted.

this was supposed the best govt ever.