Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday clarified his job portfolio, explaining that he will serve more in an advisory capacity in the oil and gas and financial sectors and his responsibilities will not be “line duties.”
Asked by Stabroek News at a press conference he hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre what duties his Vice-Presidency entails, he emphasised that he is assisting President Irfaan Ali with oversight of the two sectors at the Office of the President.
Jagdeo served two terms as President of Guyana and prior to that functioned as the Minister of Finance under the administrations of Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan.
He said that his office will be the one formerly occupied by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in the Office of the President compound.
“The president, he has oversight in oil and gas and finance. I am assisting him with that oversight; that is my mandate and my responsibility. My responsibilities at this time is budget-related issues…,” Jagdeo said.
An Official Gazette order will clearly state that his portfolio is to assist the president. “Frankly speaking, I didn’t want (a) line portfolio that is why we have a Minister of Natural Resources and will soon have a Minister of Finance,” he added.
On the same day Ali was sworn-in as President, Jagdeo was sworn-in as Vice President by Ali.
As General Secretary of the PPP/C, Jagdeo has been seen as the architect of the PPP/C’s victory at the March 2020 elections. Critics have said he could have undue influence on Ali since he played a prominent role in shepherding the latter’s selection as the PPP/C presidential candidate.
Ali has, however, dismissed those criticisms and said he will not be a puppet for the former president or anyone. “I can assure you that my position will be independent, with the collective, that is, the Cabinet. We will be part of a team and that is our approach to governance,” Ali had told reporters in December 2019 at a press conference, shortly after being selected as the Presidential Candidate of the Party.
Asked whether safeguards will be implemented to ensure that he is not manipulated by Jagdeo, Ali had said that he does “not see how it is linked to my independence as an individual, as I would be leader of Cabinet.” He also gave assurances that in an Ali-led Cabinet he will decide on policies best for the nation. Since becoming President he has outlined a number of measures and policies that he hopes to be implemented and also listed directives given to his ministers and the Vice President.
Jagdeo on Friday said that he was there to serve the nation and give support to Ali when called upon.
