…move seen as unnecessary burden on taxpayers
The Government of Guyana has created two new positions to accommodate the rehiring of former Ministers Dominic Gaskin and Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of the Presidency announced that Gaskin has been appointed Director of Manufacturing and Marketing within the Business Ministry with responsibility for the enforcement of standards, providing assistance to small producers and access to markets, particularly Eastern Caribbean markets.
Additionally, Dr Roopnarine has been appointed Director of Public Service Training within the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for training standards at the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service, Guyana Defence Force Staff College and Guyana Police Force Staff College.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge has been appointed Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for the Department of Frontiers and Territorial Integrity and the Department of Trade and Economic Cooperation. Guyana Times International understands that both Gaskin and Roopnaraine continue to receive super salaries.
Gaskin, Dr Roopnaraine, Greenidge and former Minister Joseph Harmon, all dual citizens, resigned as Ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) effective April 25.
On April 30, Harmon, a United States citizen, was appointed Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency.
Article 155 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana states that “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who (a) is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state”.
In February, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George had ruled on the case filed by Compton Reid over the dual citizenship of former AFC MP Charrandas Persaud. In the case it brought to the Chief Justice, Government had argued that Persaud’s dual citizenship status invalidated his vote in support of the No-confidence Motion that brought the Government down.
The Court of Appeal later upheld the January High Court ruling that it is illegal for persons holding dual citizenship status to be sitting in the National Assembly.
These latest appointments by Government have already received much criticism by sections of society as the move by the Administration is viewed as an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. From their job descriptions, Gaskin and Dr Roopnarine have full control of several aspects of the Ministries, despite having a sitting Minister.
With respect to Greenidge, he has gotten much support since he plays an integral role in the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy case.
Last week, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo threw his support behind the retention of the services of Greenidge, saying “With all due respect, with our border case before the International Court of Justice, you need someone who has in-depth knowledge about the issue…he should be retained because of that concern”.
