| – GPSU blasts political interferenceThe operations of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the state agency which monitors mining operations, has come once again under the spotlight with the workers’ union claiming that there are moves to remove its Commissioner.However, the Chairman of the GGMC’s Board of Directors, Major General (rtd) Joe Singh yesterday denied this, insisting that theGGMC’s Commissioner Karen Livan and Board Chairman, Major General (rtd) Joe SinghCommissioner Karen Livan remains responsible for executing her responsibilities of Commissioner until she proceeds on pre-retirement leave in a few months.“…and far from any suggestion of marginalising her, the Board is committed to supporting her as she grapples with challenging responsibilities, effects closure on the outstanding issues and ensures a smooth transition as she proceeds into retirement later this year,” the official said in a statement.Earlier in the day, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), accused the newly established Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, which is charged with overseeing the mining sector, of interfering with the operations of GGMC, a semi-autonomous agency.According to the union’s President, Patrick Yarde, he has been seeking meetings with the Minister Robert Persaud for a while now, without success.OUTBURSTDuring the GPSU’s press conference at its headquarters on Regent Street, Yarde said that the Minister’s “outburst” last week during a meeting with Brazilian miners at Celina’s Restaurant badly damaged the credibility of the outgoing commissioner. During that meeting, the minister expressed alarm over revelations that a Brazilian was allowed to mine in state reserves.It was claimed during that meeting that the GGMC’s Commissioner had signed that permit this year after a decision was taken in December not to allow mining in state reserves. It was later revealed that Livan had actually signed that permit last year before the decision to stop mining in the reserves was made.Additionally, despite agreements, the Ministry has already pinpointed a particular person, Rickford Vieira, as the next commissioner, Yarde said.The union official also questioned whether there was a conspiracy by the board to remove Livan, and suggested that Persaud may be in good order to apologise to the Commissioner.Livan is set to begin her retirement in October, but has leave due, and may be proceeding earlier.In January, government announced a restructuring of GGMC, in wake of increased mining and its fallout problems from illegal activities.GPSU’s President,Wholesale MLB Jerseys, Patrick YardeHe also accused the Ministry of planning to move staff from the GGMC’s Brickdam compound and relocating part of the Minister’s office there. Several letters were sent to Minister Persaud and even to President Donald Ramotar on the GGMC issues.GGMC’S BACKLOGMeanwhile, in a statement yesterday following GPSU’s press conference, GGMC’s Chairman,Cheap Jerseys From China, Joe Singh, said that several issues remained outstanding for GGMC, and which were raised by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Joslyn McKenzie, to the board.The several outstanding matters include failure by the Commission to prepare annual reports, lack of compliance with the National Procurement and Tender Administration Act, and failure to address findings of the Auditor General.There were also issues relating to the length of time the Commission took to complete assignments, and this category included effecting closure on complaints from miners; disciplinary action involving staff; recruitment and training; and, rehabilitation of infrastructure and procurement of assets for the Mining DistrictsAccording to the GGMC Chairman, lack of compliance with statutory budgetary and accounting requirements,Cheap Jerseys China, because of unfamiliarity with same and the need for training and mentoring of staff in order to become compliant, was also an issue of concern of the Ministry and now a matter engaging the board.“The Board agreed that the Commissioner and senior management of the Commission needed to review all of the outstanding issues and what needed to be done to effect closure on same. The Commissioner was tasked with providing her responses to the issues, as recorded in the Permanent Secretary’s letter,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, and submit same to the Chairman indicating the timelines by when the actions would be completed and the persons who will be held accountable to her for completing the assignments.”The Chairman said that Livan was given until midday Monday to answer, but she requested an extension.During the meeting last week between Livan and the Board,NFL Jerseys China, Singh said that discussions also took place on the process of leadership transitioning, since it was not apparently a practice within the recent past for proper handover/takeover of responsibilities at the level of Commissioner and, given the complexity of the responsibilities devolving from the Office of Commissioner,Cheap NFL Jerseys Store, the effective date of retirement of the current Commissioner and her pre-retirement leave, it was agreed that the transition process would commence with effect on Monday.“It was further agreed that given the several outstanding issues that had to be completed by the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioners would be tasked with ensuring that the routine work of the Commission was managed efficiently, but that the Commissioner would be kept informed, in keeping with her accountability and responsibility for the Commission.” |
