Questions are being raised over Labour Minister Keoma Griffith’s previous association with Trinidad and Tobago law firm N. D. Alfonso & Company, following the appointment of the firm’s founder, Nyree Alfonso, as a member of the Commission of Inquiry into the July 2026 MV Barima catastrophe.
The questions centre on whether Griffith remains connected to the firm and whether his previous professional relationship with the firm could create any actual or perceived conflict of interest, particularly given Alfonso’s role on the Commission and the firm’s potential involvement in matters involving clients seeking approvals or contracts in Guyana.
Griffith, an attorney who now serves as Minister of Labour, was previously listed as the firm’s Guyana contact, with his chambers identified as the local point of contact for N. D. Alfonso & Company.
Kiskadee Watch yesterday contacted Griffith seeking clarification on whether he remains associated with the firm and the circumstances surrounding the removal of his photograph from the firm’s website.
When asked whether he was still associated with N. D. Alfonso & Company, Griffith first questioned whether sufficient research had been conducted before the question was asked.
“Did you do any research before you asked me this question?” Griffith asked.
Kiskadee Watch responded that research had been done and explained that his photograph was no longer visible on the firm’s website.
“What does that suggest?” the Minister replied.
“I don’t know, sir. I’m asking,” Kiskadee Watch responded.
Griffith then indicated that he could not speak at that moment, stating: “Now is actually an inconvenient time,”, he said, before ending the conversation.
During a subsequent exchange, Griffith was asked whether his association with the firm could present any actual or perceived conflict of interest, either in relation to Alfonso’s appointment to the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry or where the firm represents clients seeking government approvals or contracts in Guyana.
“How? How? How?” Griffith responded.
The Minister said there had to be a basis for the question and stated: “I don’t see a conflict of interest.”
Kiskadee Watch clarified that the question was not alleging a conflict but sought his response on whether any perception of one could arise due to the circumstances.
Griffith responded: “The firm is not even Guyanese. What kind of question is that?”
Kiskadee Watch then pointed out that Griffith had previously been listed as the firm’s Guyana contact.
The Minister responded that further research should be conducted to determine whether he was still listed and asked that he be contacted again with the findings.
Questions have been raised as to whether Griffith may have recommended Alfonso to the President for purpose of the inquiry.
Kiskadee Watch conducted further checks on Monday. An image search continued to display Griffith’s photograph identifying him as a partner of N. D. Alfonso & Company. However, when accessing the firm’s website directly, Griffith’s profile information appeared to no longer be available.
Kiskadee Watch subsequently attempted to contact Griffith again to seek clarification on the apparent difference between the search results and the firm’s current website.
The calls were forwarded to voicemail, and no further response was received up to the time of publication.
The questions arise as the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry gears up to start the hearings following the vessel’s sinking, which resulted in at least 73 fatalities and prompted public scrutiny over issues surrounding maritime safety, accountability and oversight.
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