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FM
Former Member

Breaking News: Brassington sent on immediate leave

December 23, 2015 11:44 am Category: latest news A+ /A-

Winston Brassington

Winston Brassington

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Government today announced at a post cabinet media briefing that Chief Executive Officer of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington has been sent on immediate leave.

According to the government, reports regarding his handling of the entity’s business are being sent to the Police and the Special Organised Crime Unit to determine criminality.

Brassington’s deputy has also been sent on leave immediately. Brassington on Monday denied having committed any crimes and accused a forensic auditor, Anand Goolsarran of divulging contents of the draft report without giving the company’s principals an opportunity to comment.

“As far as I know I have not broken any laws and if Mr. Goolsarran is suggesting it then I believe I have a clear defense on why what we did was properly done and we should not be held responsible,” Brassington told a recent news conference.

On Tuesday, Former President Donald Ramotar says the “attacks” against Brassington are unwarranted and malicious.

The former President in a statement on December 22 said that he has “seen the sustained attacks on Winston Brassington in certain sections of the media and from the supporters / operators of the APNU + AFC regime for his work as head of NICIL.”

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“As far as I know I have not broken any laws and if Mr. Goolsarran is suggesting it then I believe I have a clear defense on why what we did was properly done and we should not be held responsible,” Brassington told a recent news conference.

FM

According to the government, reports regarding his handling of the entity’s business are being sent to the Police and the Special Organised Crime Unit to determine criminality.

FM

Ramotar defends Brassington; says NICIL Head being “demonized”

December 23, 2015 5:51 am Category: latest news A+ /A-

Former President Donald Ramotar & NICIL Head Winston Brassington

Former President Donald Ramotar (left) and NICIL Head Winston Brassington

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Former President Donald Ramotar says the “attacks” against Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington are unwarranted and malicious.

Brassington on Monday denied having committed any crimes and accused a forensic auditor, Anand Goolsarran of divulging contents of the draft report without giving the company’s principals an opportunity to comment.

“As far as I know I have not broken any laws and if Mr. Goolsarran is suggesting it then I believe I have a clear defense on why what we did was properly done and we should not be held responsible,” Brassington told a recent news conference.

The former President in a statement on December 22 said that he has “seen the sustained attacks on Winston Brassington in certain sections of the media and from the supporters / operators of the APNU + AFC regime for his work as head of NICIL.”

He stated that from the inception, the APNU+AFC administration began a witchhunt against several persons who were perceived to be supporters of the former PPP/C administration and those who worked dedicatedly during its tenure.

“The ‘forensic ‘audits were designed as a tool to harass and denigrate persons who worked with the PPP/C government to build our country. Winston Brassington has been attacked and demonized, and has not even been given the chance to defend himself,” Ramotar said.

He opined that the audit conducted on the operations of the Marriott Hotel by Goolsarran was most unprofessional and should engage the attention of the professional bodies of accountants in Guyana.

“Even though Mr. Brassington provided all the explanations in his preliminary report, the responses were mainly ignored in a final report that was not sent to NICIL. Clearly, the APNU + AFC operatives are not interested in the truth; they are not interested in transparency and natural justice.”

He said what they want is to “create trumped – up charges and attack the integrity of persons who clearly behaved professionally in the discharge of their duties. The real problem is that they shouted so much about corruption at NICIL and they are now unable to prove any of their charges.”

“They are fast losing credibility and their vindictive nature is being exposed for all to see,” said Ramotar.

FM
seignet posted:

Former President, it is more like Jagdeo's puppet. Jagdeo and Ramotar should also be sent on leave, to the jail. 

How about Granger for the killings of PPP supporters who were defending their democratic rights?

FM

"As far as I know I have not broken any laws"- Winston Brassington

Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited [NICIL), Winston Brassington. Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington.

Head of government’s holding company for government assets, Winston Brassington Monday afternoon denied any wrongdoing and instead accused a forensic auditor, Anand Goolsarran of divulging contents of the draft report without giving the company’s principal’s an opportunity to comment.

“As far as I know I have not broken any laws and if Mr. Goolsarran is suggesting it then I believe I have a clear defence on why what we did was properly done and we should not be held responsible,” he told a news conference at his Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown office of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). Brassington said the only way the allegations could be settled was if they were taken to court and that he was willing to take the witness stand. “I am willing to testify but you can’t bring a charge up on the basis of a law that has been clearly contradicted by all the lawyers and there is no evidence of it being broken,” he said

Declaring that throughout his 21-year log tenure at NICIL/Privatisation Unit, “I am confident in my integrity” and that it was inconceivable how he could be charged based on the forensic audits. He said Goolsarran did not take into account the legal advice that NICIL had received from the top five reputable law firms, board deliberations, cabinet and the National Assembly. He queried whether those who claimed that NICIL had done something wrong had been saying that the entire government, cabinet, board members, accounting agencies of counterparts also acted illegally.

“I believe at best that a lot of what is being said by Mr. Goolsarran are opinions of a legal nature which are not backed up by evidence on that. On the other hand, we have many years of practice where these things had been happening. We have legal opinions that state that we are within our jurisdictions to conduct these transactions…,” he said.

Brassington said it was only through the Chairman of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Dr. Maurice Odle, was provided to that company. The NICIL boss said the process suggests that there was no illegality and, on the contrary, the forensic auditor is commenting on legal matters in his report but does not provide legal opinions from experts to back up his contentions. “We have no legal precedent to suggest that anything that we are doing here… to prove that. We have legal precedents that say that what we are allowed to do is within the law,” he said.

Ahead of a review of the final draft audit reports and the provision of its comments, Brassington denied any wrongdoing and that all privatization decisions, major contracts and major matters are approved by Cabinet.

He noted that audits of NICIL by the Office of the Auditor General up to 2013 have no found anything shady. “The audit opinion of NICIL is a clean audit opinion for every year under my leadership- 2002 to date. Brassington challenged Goolsarran, a former Guyana Auditor General, to state that the financial audit was not properly done and provide evidence to support his position,” said Brassington who said he received permission from the Board to appear before the media and defend NICIL’s integrity.

The Head of NICIL and the Privatisation Unit denied that US$5 million had been hidden in a secret bank account. Instead, he explained that GYD$1 billion was advanced by the Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB) to NICIL based on the Office of the President’s authority to be invested in the Marriott Hotel. However, the money was returned to GNCB earlier this year, he said, and Republic Bank’s loan funds have become available. “There was nothing hidden, there was no secret, it was fully known to the NICIL Board, it was fully known to the auditors when they looked at NICIL,” he said.

Having offered an explanation for each of the several alleged improprieties by NICIL, Brassington described his relationship with the coalition administration as cordial and professional. He said he was willing to continue serving to ensure that more earmarked projects are realized, but at the same time if he was willing to step down. “If the government said they don’t want me, I am fine with that,” he said, recalling that he stayed on although he had told the previous government that he had wanted to demit office.

Already built are the Berbice Bridge and Marriott Hotel and being examined are the Specialty Hospital and the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project. The expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport is continuing apace.
FM

Having offered an explanation for each of the several alleged improprieties by NICIL, Brassington described his relationship with the coalition administration as cordial and professional. He said he was willing to continue serving to ensure that more earmarked projects are realized, but at the same time if he was willing to step down. “If the government said they don’t want me, I am fine with that,” he said, recalling that he stayed on although he had told the previous government that he had wanted to demit office.

FM

It is about he is removed.

Since 2006, I sent him a proposal and I am still awaiting a response.

 

He cut a an "unsavory deal" with another entity in April 2015, but before the election.

 

Vish M
Vish M posted:

It is about he is removed.

Since 2006, I sent him a proposal and I am still awaiting a response.

 

He cut a an "unsavory deal" with another entity in April 2015, but before the election.

 

He should be removed because he did not respond to your proposal??

Think about the consequences of what the Granger government is embarking on. ...if this fat boy is found guilty he should go to jail ...he is not above the law...as I said before, this looks a lot more like sloppy work at NICIL, and nepotism, rather than him being corrupt. 

If he feels he is being persecuted, he should counter sue for defamation. KN is leading the fight because he reminded LaLL that money was owed to the government over the Guyana Stores purchase.  

V

According to the government, reports regarding his handling of the entity’s business are being sent to the Police and the Special Organised Crime Unit to determine criminality.

 

Water board him and make him answer.

Mitwah
Mitwah posted:

According to the government, reports regarding his handling of the entity’s business are being sent to the Police and the Special Organised Crime Unit to determine criminality.

 

Water board him and make him answer.

Illegal..he will get 5 star service,he is going down.

Django
Last edited by Django

If I was a betting man, I would say that no court would convict Brassington. If this thing goes to the count the PNC/AFC would look kind of stupid, as Brassington would have a battery of attorneys,

FM
asj posted:

If I was a betting man, I would say that no court would convict Brassington. If this thing goes to the count the PNC/AFC would look kind of stupid, as Brassington would have a battery of attorneys,

He noted that audits of NICIL by the Office of the Auditor General up to 2013 have not found anything shady. “The audit opinion of NICIL is a clean audit opinion for every year under my leadership- 2002 to date. Brassington challenged Goolsarran, a former Guyana Auditor General, to state that the financial audit was not properly done and provide evidence to support his position,” said Brassington who said he received permission from the Board to appear before the media and defend NICIL’s integrity.

FM

Nothing short of a political witch-hunt the way people are being removed from their jobs and demonized in the government controlled press. People are entitled to due process and no one should be declared guilty of any crime unless proven in a court of law. This is a dangerous development taking place in Guyana. 

Billy Ram Balgobin
Mitwah posted:

According to the government, reports regarding his handling of the entity’s business are being sent to the Police and the Special Organised Crime Unit to determine criminality.

 

Water board him and make him answer.

Thats illegal banna

V
Mitwah posted:
Nehru posted:

Guyana worst than old Russia since May 11!!!!!!!!

Remember the two policeman who tortured the young boy burning him in his groin; they were later promoted by the PPP/C.

I dont see the connection but thanks for the Info.

Nehru
VishMahabir posted:
Mitwah posted:

According to the government, reports regarding his handling of the entity’s business are being sent to the Police and the Special Organised Crime Unit to determine criminality.

 

Water board him and make him answer.

Thats illegal banna

 A few with insider knowledge are already singing like canaries.

Mitwah
Mitwah posted:

According to the government, reports regarding his handling of the entity’s business are being sent to the Police and the Special Organised Crime Unit to determine criminality.

 

Water board him and make him answer.

You should wait for a conviction first before jumping the gun. The government and his forensic auditors are acting just like you to look foolish later. 

FM

Marriott’s financial report confirms Brassington’s deception

December 23, 2015 | By | Filed Under News 

Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington misled the media about Marriott’s rate of occupancy. He gave the impression that the hotel’s occupancy over the past few months matches what was projected in the feasibility studies.
Brassington hosted a press conference at NICIL on Monday last. At that forum, he was asked numerous questions on Marriott, some of which he answered and some of which he refused to give any response.  However, it seems like even the few answers he offered were falsehoods.
When asked for a report on Marriott’s occupancy rate, Brassington related that the occupancy of the hotel is in line with what was projected.
“Let me say that from my general knowledge, the hotel’s occupancy is as projected.”
The feasibility study had projected a 48-60 per cent occupancy rate.

Head of NICIL, Winston Brassington

Head of NICIL, Winston Brassington

Brassington told the media, “As far as we understand, they are achieving what was projected. In any new hotel there is a period of ramp up, but I learnt that they (Marriott) are doing well. Take for example last month, they had 67 percent occupancy so occupancy is getting better, things are picking up, and this is how it will work.”
However, an audit report on Marriott which has been leaked to this newspaper strikes out Brassington’s statements and exposes his deception. That report indicated that Marriott is at risk of going under.
The report said that “there is a serious risk of default in the repayment of principal and interest on the Republic Bank loan should the hotel continue to make losses due to the less-than-desirable occupancy rate.”
The auditor went on to state, “In the circumstances, it would be necessary for the loan to be paid off at the earliest opportunity. This is especially so, since the Republic Bank has a lien on the hotel and surrounding area via debenture and mortgages.”
When asked about Marriott’s losses, Brassington refused to answer. He initially tried to dodge the questions, but soon came out plain and said that he wishes not to answer.
He told Kaieteur News, “I wouldn’t want to comment on that.’
He chose however, to stress that Marriott is footing all its operating expenses, “The government is not chipping in here at all.”
The hotel is projected to earn a rate of return of 8.9 per cent on the US$27M on the Syndicated Loan sourced through Republic Bank Trinidad and Tobago that has to be repaid as a priority.

Mitwah
skeldon_man posted:
seignet posted:

Former President, it is more like Jagdeo's puppet. Jagdeo and Ramotar should also be sent on leave, to the jail. 

How about Granger for the killings of PPP supporters who were defending their democratic rights?

Except that Granger didn't kill any one.  The mere fact that he was in the GDF, while these ALLEGED killings occurred (some say that those who were killed actually INITIATED the violence) doesn't make him guilty.

FM
caribny posted:
skeldon_man posted:
seignet posted:

Former President, it is more like Jagdeo's puppet. Jagdeo and Ramotar should also be sent on leave, to the jail. 

How about Granger for the killings of PPP supporters who were defending their democratic rights?

Except that Granger didn't kill any one.  The mere fact that he was in the GDF, while these ALLEGED killings occurred (some say that those who were killed actually INITIATED the violence) doesn't make him guilty.

You can recite all your nancy story. It's not going to change since he was Forbes right hand man. Protecting a ballot box is initiating violence? When PNC supporters protect stuffed ballot boxes, they are protecting their democratic rights. How strange you look at it from only the blackman side. Carry on!

FM

They sure took a long time to say goodbye to Brassington, 7 months. I wonder why?  Now let us see if charges are forthcoming and if they can convict him in a court of law instead of the Kaiteur news kangaroo court. 

FM
Mitwah posted:

According to the government, reports regarding his handling of the entity’s business are being sent to the Police and the Special Organised Crime Unit to determine criminality.

 

Water board him and make him answer.

If u use rohee water cannon it better if some body piss on him it will have more effect 

FM
skeldon_man posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:

And which PNC person is going to get his job???

A PNC card carrying, 2 subjects in CXC blackman.

This government is sending a strong message, no stealing so let your famlee  know they days are numbered 

FM

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