Following the revelation that former Public Infrastructure Minster, David Patterson received a gift worth in excess of half a million dollars from an agency under his purview seems to just be the tip of the iceberg. Atleast, the recent allegations made by his successor, Juan Edghill, seem to suggest so.
Documents from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Company (DHBC) and its Asphalt Plant show that two days before Patterson’s birthday, a gold hand band and tie pin were procured for him.
Patterson has not denied receiving the items, but refutes assertions that he organised their procurement.
But Edghill, yesterday claimed that Patterson received additional gifts from other agencies that were under his control. These items total $2.6M, the Minister said.
Edghill said that in May 2020, while the country was experiencing post elections fiasco and in the middle of Court cases, gifts were purchased for the Minister’s birthday by the Maritime Administration Department to the tune of $704,292.
The Minister claimed that his predecessor never questioned whether the procedures and protocols were followed. In fact, Patterson said that he “assumed” the DHBC had followed those procedures.
Guyana Standard was informed that Patterson received another gift to the tune of $387,486, and on May 4, 2017 a gift was purchased for Patterson by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), another agency that fell under his purview. That gift was purchased in the sum of $117,200 from King’s Jewelry and even had Patterson’s initials ‘DP’ engraved, Edghill said.
Also, on May 3rd 2018 and May 4th, 2018 two purchases were made and the voucher said payment for gifts for Minister Patterson’s birthday and the figure attached was $300,000. There is a letter signed to the Maritime Administration on May 3rd, for the approval of the gifts, Edghill noted.
“The Transport and Harbours Department also purchased gifts for Patterson on May 4th, 2017 in the sum of $76,818. On May 6th, 2020 while squatting in office, illegally pretending to the people that he is the Minister, received another gift for $54,720 and the receipts are there to prove,” the Minister revealed.
Edghill claimed also, that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on the 7th May 2018 made a purchase for a cross pen for $25,000.
Edghill accused the former Minister of taking “gross advantage” of his position and severely “abused” the treasury of the Demerara Harbour Bridge and other agencies between June 2015 and July 2016.
The items purchased for the Minister include:
Apple Ipad air $213,000
Dell laptops (2)
Television set
Printer
Cocktail tables
Dresser
Rugs
Book Shelf
Samsung Galaxy phone valued at $203,000
Vacuum Cleaner
King bed set
Mattress
Chest of Drawers
Edghill is calling on the Integrity Commission to investigate the gifts.
