SARA not “politically tainted” – Deputy Director shuts down speculators – Agency is not going after persons based on their political affiliation but based on evidence and in accordance with procedures

DPI, GUYANA, Monday, May 14, 2018

Deputy Director, State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA), Aubrey Heath-Retemyer today rubbished speculations that the image of the agency may be tainted due to his affiliation with a party that forms part of the Coalition Government.

According to Retemyer his preference, for a political party, does not affect his ability to execute his duties in an unbiased and professional manner.

“I don’t think that is too much to ask a Guyanese even if you are a member or follower of a particular party but to operate professionally”, he told reporters.

The SARA Deputy Director made it clear that the Agency is not going after persons based on their political affiliation but based on evidence and in accordance with procedures.

Making reference to the recent charges brought against former Head of NICIL, Winston Brassington and former Minister of Finance under the PPP administration, Dr. Ashni Singh, Retemyer said evidence gathered from the NICIL report was examined by several agencies.

The report, he noted, first went through the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), then to the Police Legal Advisor who then forward it to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). It was only after it was verified that there is a possibility of recovering the stolen assets, that SARA decided to proceed with the cases.

“We just didn’t jump off and start investigating because people said this individual might have been culpable”, he clarified.

Retemyer assured that himself and the senior officials of SARA will continue to operate professionally in its investigations.

By Stacy Carmichael
Image courtesy of Keno George