Post-Cabinet press briefings which have not been held for many weeks now since controversy brewed around Minister of State, Joseph Harmon are to resume next week, President David Granger said today.
He attributed the hiatus in these briefings to an “administrative lapse”.
A release from the Ministry of the Presidency follows:
President David Granger, early this morning, announced that the traditional post-Cabinet press briefings will continue as per normal and that the next one will be held next week. He made this announcement during his weekly programme, ‘The Public Interest’ for which recordings resumed today after a two week hiatus due his hectic schedule during the 50th Independence anniversary celebrations.
The Head of State clarified that contrary of what is being peddled in some sections of the media, the lull in the weekly press briefings was in no way an attempt to deny the public of information regarding the affairs of Government.
“It not a question of transparency… it was an administrative lapse and we will correct that and have the meeting more frequently,” President Granger said.
The President, since taking Office, has adopted an ‘open door’ policy when it comes to media representatives. He has always facilitated questions when approached, even if he is at formal events that did not cater for such engagements.
Moreover, in the absence of the weekly press briefings, the Ministry of the Presidency’s Press and Publicity Unit has issued releases on important Cabinet decisions. On April 29, 14 such releases were sent out and another eight on May 20. Yesterday, the Ministry issued a release with the details of all of the contracts that have received Cabinet’s ‘no objections’ earlier this week. Further releases are expected later today.
Members of Cabinet continue to be empowered to speak extensively on their own portfolios and the policy of this administration is to ensure that there is open and regular access to information for the good of the nation.