Just over half of the $40 million sum budgeted for the Office of the Commissioner of Information this year is for the emoluments of the office holder, retired Justice of Appeal Charles Ramson SC.
Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira made the disclosure yesterday during the Committee of Supply’s consideration of the budget estimates.
She was at the time responding to questions from APNU+AFC Member of Parliament Tabitha Sarabo-Halley about the budget for the office.
“Mr. Chair, I am inquiring whether the $40 million was in fact for the office or for the Commissioner and if there is no other staff that would be assisting the Commissioner in his duties as Commissioner of Information,” she asked.
Teixeira said the Commissioner of Information was “re-ensconced into office last year” and noted that the sum budgeted was intended to pay his salaries and benefits and to aid in the daily operation and functioning of the office. She did not disclose where the office is now located.
“The $40 million is allocated as follows: $1.5 million per month for the Commissioner with gratuity and vacation allowance… and that comes up to $23.8 million per annum and the balance then goes towards the office for supplies, materials and the office for the Commissioner of Information,” Teixeira responded.
Pressed further on a work plan for the office by Sarabo-Halley, Teixeira said she was not in a position to provide such information. However, she noted that the work of the Commissioner would be guided by the legislation. It was also stated that a work plan was provided to President Irfaan Ali.
Following an attempt by the former APNU+AFC administration to dismiss him from the post, Ramson resumed duties during the latter part of 2020 under the current administration.
In December 2018, then Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had informed the Committee of Supply during the consideration of the 2019 budget estimates that the post had been vacant since March 2018.
Nagamootoo had said that Ramson was dismissed for rendering his office dysfunctional since he had been unable to submit an account of what he had done since assuming the post in 2013.
Ramson was appointed by then president Donald Ramotar with effect from July 2, 2013 as Commissioner of Information under Section 5 of the Access to Information Act 2011.
This newspaper had previously reported that the Access to Information Act does not provide for the Commissioner of Information to be fired for the offence cited by Nagamootoo.
According to the Act, the President may remove the commissioner only if he is found to be bankrupt, has been convicted of an offence which involves immorality; is unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body or had, or has, acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to prejudicially affect his functions as Commissioner of Information.
Additionally, the Act provides for the Commissioner to make representation on his own behalf before being removed. There was no indication that any of this was the case. Ramson was purportedly dismissed by way of a letter signed by then Minister of State Joseph Harmon.
Ramson, who is also a former Attorney General, had argued at the time that there were specific procedures and considerations that should have been be satisfied if he was to be removed from his post.
Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire later found that the failure by the then government to provide the Office of the Commissioner of Information with the implements needed for it to operate properly violated section 5 of the Act, and ordered that the office be given staff, and furniture to allow it to execute its mandate.
