-cites lack of transparency and apprehension at working among power-hungry people as reasons
By Marlon Munroe
While acid burnt Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Assistant Treasurer Pretipaul Jaigobin is back at work at the Ministry of Finance, his work at the GCB is uncertain as he is apprehensive about working among “power-hungry persons.”
Stabroek Sport interviewed Jaigobin at his office yesterday and he emphasised
that “without calling any names,” he cannot work with the executive body of the GCB and there is no transparency.
“I cannot work in an organisation as an executive and not know what is going on in it,” Jaigobin said, adding that this was almost a routine practice at the GCB level.
Jaigobin said he also felt disenchanted about working as an executive on the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) and revealed that there were some “run ins” and problems on that Board.
Meanwhile, his family, friends and colleagues at his office have advised him not to be a part of the sport.
In this regard his wife was even opposed to him being present at cricket matches while his son has lost his passion for the game.
Further, he also pointed out that he went against the advice of some to grant this interview.
However, he reminded that while he is still shaken by the attack of last May, he believes that “people should have a right to agree to disagree” without letting issues escalate to such horrifying levels.
“I can’t work in an organisation or part of a group where you can’t express yourself. When I work at an organisation and I look at myself, I want to see a reflection of everybody and that means people must know what is going on and must be a part of that process,” Jaigobin stated.
It was at this juncture that Jaigobin, who returned to work on September 27 after four months, reiterated that it is possible that his May attack was cricket-related since he does not have any other problems concerning his work as an official in the National Authorisation Office (NAO).
This body monitors European Union (EU) funding for the Government of Guyana.
According to Jaigobin, he is surrounded by professional personnel at his office. The outspoken Jaigobin told Stabroek Sport that he has been working with the NAO for a number of years and has dealings with projects of more significant magnitude than that of the GCB and he has never encountered such an incident.
The accountant also wants to further disassociate himself from the GCB executive after he read an article in yesterday’s Stabroek News, headlined: `Financial turmoil still swirls around Guyana Cricket Board – Ordinary General Meeting postponed’.
He referred to some of the claims made by the sources in the article and said that they were startling.
He was even more startled by the revelations of the yields of the two practice matches between Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago which was held at the Guyana National Stadium in August.
He said that the GCB should have made more money than was actually disclosed since he was a patron at the event.
In the article, it was stated by a source that the two T/20 practice matches between Guyana and T&T only collected $11,389,000 as revenue from the paying public.
The source was quoted as saying “This is equivalent to approximately 11,389 spectators for the two days. This is impossible as they had approximately 25,000 spectators so they have had to at least $20,000,000.”
On the matter of his health, Jaigobin said he is expected to undergo surgery to his throat after his visit to the doctor on November 4. He indicated that while he visits the clinic every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, he still has trouble moving his neck freely.
Jaigobin said that should he bend his neck for an extended period or should he laugh, his muscles contract and this puts him in a spot of bother since it is extremely painful.
He pointed out, however, that he has no problem eating.
From close observation, Jaigobin’s right eyelid closes inside out but he said he was assured by the doctor that in due time “everything will be alright.”
Speaking from in front of his computer where he was working on a project, Jaigobin said that he had been given a cream to rub on his face to alleviate the effects of the burns.
In the home circle, Jaigobin said that his wife has been trying to persuade him to quit his post as assistant treasurer and to cut all ties with cricket in Guyana.
As it relates to the police investigation, Jaigobin said that he has not followed the matter up with the police after the attack.
Jaigobin had acid thrown in his face in Strathspey, East Coast Demerara at a restaurant where he had stopped with a friend in May. Jaigobin had stopped there on the way to his Clonbrook, East Coast Demerara home.
