The government’s information unit yesterday said that the appointment of an Executive Secretariat for the National Coronavirus Task Force is aimed at speeding up remediation efforts for those affected.
In a statement, the Public Information and Press Service also said the three appointees: Joseph Harmon, Lawrence Paul and Mark Archer possess the expertise necessary that is vital in the country’s fight against the disease which has claimed the lives of eight and infected 66 others.
The statement came following growing questions after Harmon was made Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat on Friday in the task force headed by de facto Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. The appointment has been seen as diminishing Nagamootoo’s standing and had come a day after Nagamootoo had suggested at a press conference that Guyana’s request for international assistance to fight COVID-19 could possibly be hampered by the present electoral stalemate. In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) refuted Nagamootoo’s suggestion.
Further questions were raised about what was happening at the Ministry of the Presidency when it was announced on Saturday that Harmon was no longer Director General of the Ministry, a position which had been created for him when he had to relinquish his ministerial portfolio as he was a dual citizen.
The statement yesterday said that the task force “will benefit significantly from the exceptional logistical and planning skills that the trio can bring to bear”.
It said that the trio who served in different departments of MoTP will retain their entitlements and emoluments.
The statement said that Harmon has experience in disaster risk management and has worked over the years with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).
“President Granger explained that he was confident in Mr. Harmon’s organisational and operational competence and managerial experience, which make him best suited for the post of CEO.
“He described him as a team player who has a clear vision of the objectives and urgency of the counter COVID-19 campaign and a commitment to overcome the challenges facing the country at this time. The CEO has led the Government on previous crises and emergencies and is familiar with the mechanisms which have to be effected to ensure that Guyana is capable of addressing the effects of the COVID-19 disease. He is skilled at mobilising and managing manpower and material resources”, the statement said.
According to the statement, Granger said that the CEO’s first job will be to establish a permanent National Task Force Secretariat; assign permanent staff to manage the national campaign; create preventive measures against the disease and collaborate with regional task forces and stakeholders.
The CEO is also responsible for initiating all important logistics measures necessary to prevent the disease from spreading further and directing rapid responses to “unexpected and emergency incidents”. He will also develop short-term plans for disease prevention and communicate directly with agencies, ministries, regional task forces, agencies and stakeholders.
On Friday, caretaker President Granger had announced also the seconding of Paul, Senior Executive Director of the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service. The statement noted that Paul served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the GDF and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana and a Master’s degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defence University in Washington DC.
Archer, former Director of the Public Information and Press Service has also been seconded to the NTCF on a full-time basis. The statement said that Archer has three decades of experience as a medical professional at the clinical, research and managerial levels said he is pleased to be part of the Task Force.
“My training is in medical technology and pharmacology, but I am not on this Task Force in a clinical capacity. I am here because I think I have the experience and knowledge to assist in the national effort to combat this disease. The Ministry of Public Health has professionals who are capable to test, track and treat. I will be assisting in the mobilisation of resources and helping to put plans together; short, medium and long-term plans for disease prevention and safety of the people,” Archer said, according to the statement.
It was both the experience of the trio and the need to advance the anti-COVID-19 campaign that influenced the President’s decision to appoint them to the NCTF. “The decision is purely administrative”, the statement added.
