$70K for CEO’s Special Advisor Raises Eyebrows

A $70,000 government contract for former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Aaron Guzman, to serve as a special advisor to the CEO of the Ministry of Home Affairs is drawing scrutiny, particularly as tensions rise between the government and unions over salary increases and fiscal priorities.

The contract also includes a government vehicle.

Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa defended the appointment, stating: “It’s not anything new. These government contracts exist in all ministries.”

He explained that the CEO, who comes from an administrative rather than policing background, requires the counsel of someone with Guzman’s experience. “Having the type of advice and counsel from somebody like a senior like Aaron Guzman has been very valuable to the ministry and to the CEO in the conduct of her duties,” Musa said.

The optics of a ‘high-paying’ advisory post have raised eyebrows, especially among public officers.

The Joint Unions Negotiating Team has rejected what they called the government’s attempts to politicise and discredit the union’s demand for the 8.5% salary adjustment.