Harmon wants forensic audit into Sputnik deal; writes to manufacturer seeking information

Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon is now calling for an independent forensic audit into the deal between the Government of Guyana and a Dubai Sheik for the supply of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines.

The call comes days after Harmon cast doubt on the shipment of 200,000 doses, saying that they might not be authentic jabs. He requested that the government suspends administering the vaccines until the authenticity of the jabs can be verified. He relied heavily on an article published in a Norwegian media outlet, claiming that Sheik Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum was embroiled in a vaccine controversy with a convict.

The government has said that the vaccines are authentic and has asked that Harmon provide evidence to prove otherwise.

Harmon today repeated his call for President Irfaan Ali to address the nation in a “coherent and responsible manner and provide clarity to the Guyanese people that their lives and health are not being jeopardized by the PPP’s questionable purchase of over-priced vaccines from Sheik Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum for which more than $600million was over-paid based on the world market prices”.

“This matter is a most serious one which directly relates to the lives and health and wellbeing of the Guyanese people who deserve transparency and credible information and not dismissive, arrogant, and flippant treatment. The PPP must provide clear answers and not believe they can casually dismiss the genuine concerns of our people,” Harmon said.

The Opposition Leader said that he has also written to the Director-General of the Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation seeking answers to confirm the following:

1. That it could not provide the Sputnik V vaccines to the Government of Guyana either directly or via the Russian Direct Investment Fund

2. That Sheik Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum is a duly authorised distributor of the Sputnik V vaccine and

3. That Sheik Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum has been supplied with Sputnik V vaccines by the Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology.