Although not informed of the decision to replace him as Chairman of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) Board of Directors, former prime minister Hamilton Green yesterday said that he would abide by it.
Green’s comments came after Minister of State Joseph Harmon told a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday that as part of government’s plan to establish an age requirement for persons who sit on state boards, agencies and commissions, Green would not be asked to return once a new CH&PA board is sworn in shortly.
“Government at the end of 2016 did a review of all boards and commissions in this country which affect the life and livelihood of Guyanese people. [And], in particular, the CH&PA [which is responsible] for the whole housing development, the whole housing thrust moving forward, that is an area which is of concern to the government and the government has taken steps where that is concerned. We as a country have to strike a balance where efficiency is concerned, where a person’s age is concerned. We do not believe age is a deterrent in and of itself but the fact that we have so many younger persons who are there, competent as well to carry out these duties, we believe that they ought to be given a chance. It is no disrespect and disregard to the work of these individuals [who held the posts] but we have to provide upward mobility within the system,” Harmon said.
While the decision was news to the 82-year-old Green, he assured Stabroek News that he would not fight it. “I am physically fit and have the experience but if this is the decision I will abide by it. I have an implicit trust in the perspicacity of the Cabinet and I will continue to use my energies and experience and to work assiduously to advance the wellbeing of my party and the coalition,” Green said.
Green, who was appointed as the Chair of the CH&PA board in October, 2015, noted that only Wednesday he and two of the ministers attached to the Ministry of Communities were working to develop an aggressive housing programme.
The government had first revealed its intention to establish the age requirement when Justice Cecil Kennard was asked to retire from the post of Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).
President David Granger on Wednesday explained that the decision to ask Kennard to step down had to be taken as government is paving the way for younger persons to take the lead.
In a press release sent out by the Ministry of the Presidency, Granger, while offering an apology for the short notice, maintained that it was a decision that had to be taken.
Stabroek News had been told that Kennard became aware of the decision to remove him from office while he was on holiday. He was given 36 hours, but this time was extended after he made contact with Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan. According to Kennard, he had indicated to Ramjattan that he had a lot of work to complete and would prefer if he could remain in office until the end of March.
It had also been reported that retired Justice Prem Persaud, who is Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, has also been asked to leave office. He is almost 80 years old and leaves at the end of next month.
“There was no negative report. In fact, the decision was taken to review all of the Boards, including the Central Housing and Planning Authority. I regret very much the short notice. He does deserve longer notice and there was a consideration of the length of service and the age of the persons holding those offices… He has a lot of bright ideas, but at this time we look forward to filling all of the Constitutional appointments. We also have the Public Service [Appellate] Tribunal…We want to fill the Ombudsman so it is a result of a general review of all the agencies, boards and commissions,” Granger was quoted as saying in the press release.
The release said it was expected that in the coming days, more information would become available.
“So it is not a criticism of his service but there will be a general order explaining our policy on age and retirement for agencies, boards and commissions but at the same time we hope to give other persons an opportunity to serve so that over a period of time we build up expertise in the younger generations too. So it is not a criticism of Justice Kennard. There will be further information but nobody is being purged. We are simply trying to give other persons the ability to serve,” the President said.
