The Cabinet has instructed the Finance Minister to hand over the file containing the forensic audit into the operations of the state-owned National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd. (NICIL) to the Police Commissioner and the State Asset Recovery Unit for investigation and possible charges.

The announcement was made by Minister of State, Joe Harmon at the post-cabinet press briefing this morning at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Mr. Harmon also announced that the government has taken a decision to send both the Chief Executive Officer and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NICIL on leave, pending the investigation and possible charges.

The CEO of NICIL is Winston Brassington, while Attorney, Marcia Nadir-Sharma serves as his Deputy.

The move by the government to call in the Police comes in wake of a damning report on the operations of NICIL under the previous government and several alleged fraudulent activities that may have taken place with regards to the sale of state property and the investment of state resources.

Under the previous PPP government, NICIL played a lead role in several government projects including the construction of the Marriott Hotel, the construction of the Berbice River Bridge, the failed Amaila Falls project and the sale of state lands and state properties.

Former Auditor General of Guyana, Anand Goolsarran was called in to lead a forensic audit into the operations and deals of NICIL following the May 11 elections.

Mr. Goolsarran raised several wrongdoings in his report that may have cost the taxpayers billions of dollars. He also recommended that charges be filed for several breaches of the law with regard to the movement of state assets and money from several government agencies.

The CEO of NICIL, Winston Brassington, who is expected to proceed on leave immediately, attempted to distance himself from any wrongdoing by saying that he serves as a servant of the Government of Guyana and a “creature of the cabinet”. He said any activities done by NICIL under the previous government would have been approved by the previous government and instructions handed down to him.

At a press conference earlier this week, Brassington questioned “if someone is saying we did something wrong, are they saying that the entire government who made the decision and the cabinet and the board members and the counter agencies with other parties, that they all acted illegally?”.

He is adamant that he did  nothing wrong and he broke no laws.

The Government believes it will be best for the Police to make that determination.

Related posts:

Government fires Head of Special Purpose Unit over NICIL’s sale of lands Deputy Commissioner Williams sent on accumulated leave with immediate effect Brassington decides not to renew contract as Chief Executive of NICIL as probe continues GPL Deputy CEO for admin sent on leave after transferring $27M to personal account