Former member of the Constitution Reform Commission Dr Rupert Roopnaraine is urging GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally to give up his appointment as Chairman of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), a role seen in some quarters as a potential handicap in the execution of his duties in an election year.
Speaking to Stabroek News briefly yesterday, Dr Roopnaraine said he hoped the GECOM chairman would decline the GLDA appointment since it could give rise to controversy which is the last thing needed in an election year .
“I am hoping that Steve sees the wisdom in declining this and concentrating on getting this thing off the ground,” he said.
Roopnaraine stated that the Constitution is “fairly clear” on the issue of employment and added that Surujbally’s full attention would be required for his duties at GECOM.
Article 161 of the Constitution states: “There shall be an Elections Commission for Guyana consisting of a Chairman, who shall be a full-time Chairman and shall not engage in any other form of employment….” Stabroek News had contacted Surujbally on Friday after the PNCR issued a statement querying the legality of his appointment and the wisdom in his acceptance. In response, he said he had contacted his lawyers on the issue and was advised that he had done nothing wrong and added that the party could challenge the appointment in court.
“Let them go to the courts if they feel it’s illegal,” he declared. The GECOM chairman said he has not broken any law in accepting the appointment.
He said he was not receiving “a red cent” and had stated in a letter to the agriculture minister that he would not be “beholden” to him and that any “symbolic stipend” should go towards the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Surujbally said he would have to dedicate “one time per month for two hours” to the GLDA chairmanship duties.
Contacted yesterday AFC Vice-Chairperson Sheila Holder stated that her concern was primarily whether Surujbally had been appointed in keeping with the GLDA Act which stipulates that the chairman be appointed from the 15 members of the Board of Directors.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Dr Dindyal Permaul in a letter published in the Stabroek News on December 30, 2010 had stated that the appointment had been done in accordance with the law.
“Section 5 of the act requires the minister to appoint a board of fifteen directors of whom seven shall be chosen from nominations submitted by associations or interest groups including poultry producers, pig producers, cattle farmers, agro processors, beekeepers and traders and exporters of livestock and livestock products. This has been complied with in all aspects,” he stated.
Surujbally also accused Stabroek News of provoking the issue with the publication of an anonymous letter on December 28, which among other things queried whether the appointment of a GLDA Chairman had been concluded.
The GECOM Chairman said he is preparing a response to the PNCR’s charge.
