Present evidence that Bishop Edghill takes directions from Dr Luncheon – ERC

Jul 13, 2010 News

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The Ethnic Relations Commissioner (ERC), yesterday, in a response to Stabroek News Monday July 12, 2010 captioned “Unconstitutional ERC should not adjudicate in any media matter – PNC/R,” stated the Commission demands that Member of Parliament Amna Ally and the PNC/R immediately withdraw this statement making a public apology.
Failing to do so, they must make public, any evidence at their disposal to substantiate the claim that “Bishop Juan Edghill is subject to the direction of Luncheon.”
Member of Parliament Amna Ally reportedly stated in the article “While Chairman of the ERC Juan Edghill had demonstrated an interesting activism in responding to the directions of Luncheon, the same activism was not seen in dealing with inflammatory statements by President Jagdeo at Babu John during the death anniversary celebrations several years ago for former President Cheddi Jagan.”
According to the ERC, “She pointed to the failure of the ERC to act on the complaint made by the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) concerning the behaviour of the Bauxite Company of Guyana.”
The ERC believes that this statement by Ally, purportedly representing the PNC/R, should receive the strongest condemnation from every section of the society.
“The fact of the matter is that the PNC/R must admit that even its best efforts of manipulation, intimidation and condemnation of the ERC and its Chair in particular, have been unsuccessful and its covert and overt attempts to compromise the integrity and independence of the Commission have been rebuffed.”
The ERC stated that it has checked its records and found no complaint from the PNC/R or any other stakeholder as it relates to any inflammatory statement made by President Jagdeo at Babu John during the death anniversary celebrations of former President Cheddi Jagan.

Concerning the Guyana Bauxite
and General Workers Union
The ERC stated on Monday January 4, 2010 via e-mail, a complaint was sent to Bishop Juan Edghill, Chairman of the ERC by one Carlton Sinclair.
The commission further stated the purpose of the e-mail was to bring to the attention of the Commission for immediate redress, a claim that the predominant African Bauxite workers of Aroaima and Kwakwani employed by the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated, a company owned by the United Company (RUSAL) and the Government of Guyana where race, ethnicity and political affiliation appeared to be at the center of decision making which affected the operations of the union and the workers.
A reply dated January 7, 2010 acknowledging receipt of the complaint was dispatched to Mr. Carlton Sinclair, President of Aroaima / Kwakwani branch and an official complaint form was completed by senior investigative officer of the ERC. A letter dated January 7, 2010 was sent to Dr. Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat informing of the Complaint and forwarding a copy of the said complaint for his prompt response.
Another letter dated January 7, 2010 was sent to Mr. Manzoor Nadir, Minister of Labour informing of the Complaint and forwarding a copy of the said complaint for his prompt response; the ERC revealed.
On the same date the ERC stated more letters were dispatched to Mr. Yoganand Persaud, Chief Labour Officer, informing of the Complaint and asking for a prompt response; and Mr. Sergey Kostyuk, General Manager RUSAL informing him of the existence of the Ethnic Relations Commission, its mandate and forwarding to him an outline of its functions.
The ERC stated the letter further informed Mr. Kostyuk of the complaint submitted to the ERC against BCGI and forwarding a copy of the said complaint for his perusal and comments. In this letter, a formal request was made for preliminary meeting with official representatives of RUSAL, the Chairman of the ERC at the Office of RUSAL between the hours of 15:00hrs and 17:00hrs on Monday January 11, 2010.
On January 8, 2010 by prior telephone communication, a meeting was arranged between ERC and officials of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union. This meeting took place at Watooka House in Linden.
It was on that premise the ERC revealed that the Chairman, Commissioners and Investigative staff of the ERC met with Mr. Sinclair, President of Aroaima / Kwakwani branch – the complainant, Mr. Sampson, President and Mr. Gonsalves, General Secretary (ag) of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union.
The commission revealed on Friday January 8, 2010, the ERC made it clear that if the union had authorised Mr. Sinclair to make such a complaint, the Union should write the ERC stating that Mr. Sinclair is authorised to make the complaint on behalf of the workers and the union since he was neither the President nor General Secretary of the union; the union was to make available persons who were witnesses or persons who would have been fired and were affected by the actions of the BCGI to ERC investigators to give statements;  the ERC will be engaging the Bauxite Company and others stated in the complaint in preliminary meetings of the same nature as held with the union to satisfy itself that there was merit for a public inquiry; further, the commission met with Mr. Sergey Kostyuk, General Manager RUSAL at the RUSAL Georgetown Office on Monday January 11, 2010.
The ERC wishes to make it known that it is the complainant who has stalled the process. The Commission is awaiting the opportunity to take statements from the aggrieved parties so that the next steps can be determined i.e. to decide on if there is merit for a public inquiry.

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