GNBA Head unwilling to make judgment call

Sep 25, 2016 News

…Prime Minister to play a role in way forward

The Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), Leonard Craig, has taken the

GNBA Head, Leonard Craig

position that he does not believe he should be the final arbiter after the investigation into alleged corrupt practices by board members is completed.
Craig made his position clear last Friday. According to the Chairman his only responsibility regarding the allegations levelled against members of the board, is to launch an investigation and record the findings.
Craig said, “In terms of making a judgement call, I don’t think I should be that person to make that call.”
Further, Craig said that he does not believe that the investigation should restrain the work of the GNBA. He said, “We are bound by law to serve the people, so as to not immobilize the members of the board from performing their duties.”
Craig said that presently his only concern is to ensure that those who are being accused of wrongdoing are given a chance to respond.
He relayed that after he would have finished recording the responses he will compile them and present them to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to determine the way forward.
When asked how soon an official pronouncement will be made, Craig said that it is tentative since Nagamootoo is currently busy and thereby unable to settle down and address the issue.
It was alleged earlier in the week that GNBA board members, Anthony Vieira and Vic Insanally were involved in bullying a broadcaster on the Essequibo Coast to sell his operation to a prominent businessman

GNBA Board Member, Anthony Vieira

recommended by the said board members.
Craig had reported that one Cable broadcaster, Kenwin Charles of Northwest TV Inc. had met with him to level complaints against the named board members. The Chairman had made it clear that if the allegations can be substantiated then it will serve as a major blow to the integrity of the members under scrutiny.

According to the Chairman, Charles accused the two men of trying to force him out of business on the Essequibo Coast where he had already made significant capital investments. This publication was informed that Charles had made a formal complaint to the Prime Minister.
In light of the allegations, Anthony Vieira had expressed his dismay with the actions of the Chairman, saying that Craig should not have issued a statement on the issue before approaching him to hear his side.
Responding to the allegations, Vieira defended himself saying that the accusations are total untruths. He said that the broadcaster had confessed to never having a cable licence to transmit cable services to paying subscribers.
Vieira said that Charles was informed of several discrepancies which surround his operations, which includes using the wrong frequency and that he could not be allowed to continue.
In a recent statement issued by the lawyers for Vieira and Insanally, C. Satram and Edward Luckhoo, Craig was asked to desist from conducting an investigation into the matter and to provide compensation of an unspecified amount yet to be agreed upon.
The statement states that if Craig resists to offer compensation then legal proceedings will follow. The lawyers noted, “You (Craig) are reminded that you have no authority and it is indeed improper for you to investigate and pronounce on the truth and accuracy of the allegations made by Mr. Charles.”

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News