Dear Editor,
In light of the recent statement issued to the press by Mr. Basil Williams, Minister of Legal Affairs regarding the non-renewal of my contract, I wish to respond.
Firstly, I find it obscene that after my contract ended a month ago, July 22, 2016 over a month ago, the Minister has now chosen to go public to make this announcement without any official notice to me. I was made aware of this through the 31st August edition of Stabroek News.
On November 4th, 2015, after having proceeded on six weeks annual leave and preparing to resume duties, I received correspondence from the Ministry of Legal Affairs instructing me to proceed on my remaining fifty-two days accumulated annual leave to facilitate a “Special Audit” into expenditures for law books and computer parts for 2012-2014.
Much to my surprise and embarrassment I read in several newspapers on December 8th, 2015, that the Minister of Legal Affairs, told the media that I was sent on administrative leave. That was an untruth.
On December 28th 2015, two days prior to my resumption of duties, I received another letter from the Ministry of Legal Affairs that I should now proceed on a month’s administrative leave to facilitate the completion of the Special Audit. On January 26th I received yet another letter to remain on administrative leave for an indefinite period given the absence of the final special audit report. I was subsequently informed that the report was completed and sent to the Ministry of Legal Affairs at the end of January. I was also informed that the report had cleared me of all suspicion of wrongdoing as the books and parts could have been accounted for. Yet I remained on administrative leave until the end of my contract in July. To date, I have not received any official correspondence with regards to the findings of the special audit report. I requested a copy of it and was told it was at the discretion of the Minister of Legal Affairs to release same.
What is disturbing is that Minister Williams feigned ignorance of these books when at a meeting he was told about them. It was even followed up with other discussions on procurement of books for the Ministry. It is grossly unfair for Minister Williams to publicly attack me saying that I could not account for the books when he knew who had them. I did approve the payment as the Permanent Secretary and the books were used by the former Attorney General and were kept in the Chambers. This outburst can only be deemed as mischievous and a deliberate attempt to discredit me.
The Ministry does not store nor stock computer parts, these are bought on a needs basis on the advice of the Head of the Information Technology Department. My role in managing stocks whether books, equipment or any other item, is ensuring the criteria are met for purchasing. It should be noted that while I have oversight of the Stores, the Head of the Accounting Department has the responsibility to ensure all assets and equipment are recorded, issued and managed efficiently. This Head of Department has the day to day responsibility of managing the Stores. This Head of Department remains on the job while I was sent off.
It must have eluded the Minister of Legal Affairs that the Office of the Auditor General is constitutionally set up to audit all Government agencies. It was he who asked for a special audit to be conducted by the Office of the Auditor General. It was reported in the media that he did not accept the findings. The Auditor General’s conclusion is final. Is Minister Williams disregarding this?
It is my firm belief, that this was all a smokescreen to remove me from the Ministry. When Minister Williams met with me just after taking office, he said he has to ‘change the face’ of the Ministry to reflect there has been a change in Government. In my opinion Minister Williams made no qualms about wanting to remove persons from the Ministry as they were perceived to be supporters of the main Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic.
I have had meetings with the Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon on my matter but to no avail.
I applied for renewal of my contract and two days prior to the expiration date of my contract I was in receipt of a mail from Minister Harmon’s office saying the final decision to renew rested with Minister Basil Williams.
In the absence of not setting objectives with me and having only worked with me for a few months, he really was in no position to make that judgement.
It is very clear that he paid no attention to the previous Audit and Public Accounts Committee reports.
I applied for my gratuity for period 2015 -2016 to which I am entitled, to date that has not been approved, not by the Minister of Legal Affairs nor the Minister of State.
There must have been drastic policy changes as I know matters relating to Permanent Secretaries are usually dealt with by Office of the President, (now Ministry of the Presidency).
All letters instructing me to continue on annual and administrative leave, were signed by the Senior Personnel Officer of the Ministry of Legal Affairs without being copied to the Minister of State. No doubt she was instructed by the Minster of Legal Affairs to write to me.
After years of hard work, conducting my duties with integrity and transparency, excellent Audit reports and good reviews from the Public Accounts Committee, the careless action of the Minister of Legal Affairs has caused immense embarrassment and damage to my credibility.
I am truly saddened and disappointed in the manner in which I was tossed out. We know that women fight a continuous battle for respect, equity and equal treatment. As a professional woman with the relevant skills, experience and qualification, I feel offended at the way this matter was handled by the Minister. As a professional do I not deserve the courtesy of being informed officially?
It is no secret that there are agencies where questionable activities have taken place and that were highlighted in the media. Yet no action was taken. Why the double standards?
While I have should have no grouse about who the Minister wants as his Permanent Secretary, do not manufacture evidence to discredit me.
I did not respond before because I still had and have faith in humanity. I hoped that common sense would have prevailed and this could have been resolved without acrimony.
Yours faithfully,
Indira Anandjit
Former Permanent
Secretary
Ministry of Legal Affairs
