Latest update January 15th, 2025 2:11 AM
Nagamootoo stalls appointment of Opposition nominee to GNBA Board
By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell
The government and opposition seem to be playing with the business of the nation. For almost two years, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition refused to take up seats on most of the State Boards including that of
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo
the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA). Now that the PPP/C, for whatever unstated reason, has had a change of heart and decides to have representation on the GNBA Board, it seems as if Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has chosen to stall the appointment.
This came to light during a press conference hosted yesterday by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.
A lightweight, a runner boy in the government and one who fails to handle the miniature tasks given to him is how Jagdeo described Nagamootoo.
The politician said that the GNBA will never fare well as long as it remains under the guidance of Nagamootoo.
Jagdeo said that “several weeks ago”, he received a letter from Nagamootoo inviting the opposition to submit a nominee to serve on the GNBA Board. Jagdeo said that the party decided that former head of the GNBA, Bibi Shadick, would best serve on the Board “for continuity; she can explain things.”
He said that he responded to the Nagamootoo submitting Shadick’s name only to be told that “(Nagamootoo) has to seek clearance from Harmon.”
“That’s what I am talking about. (The appointment) is provided for; they announced it. It is probably gazetted; now we can’t go ahead because he still needs to go and wait outside of Harmon’s office to get it approved,” said Jagdeo.
But Nagamootoo refuted Jagdeo’s claims. He said that a “procedure” is holding up the appointment.
“Usually the Cabinet has to approve the name of the person then the name has to be gazetted after which an instrument of appointment is issued. What was gazetted was opposition appointee; a name now has to be gazetted,” said Nagamootoo.
Nagamootoo was keen to note, “I followed the law and ensured that there is a place on the Board for an opposition appointee but when you have to make the appointment you have to appoint a person.”
Nagamootoo said that he acknowledged Jagdeo’s nominee but told him nothing about waiting on Harmon’s approval.
“I have since taken the name to Cabinet and Cabinet has given approval to the name.” He said that a Cabinet Memorandum has to be written and signed by Harmon then it will be gazetted after which Shadick will receive an instrument of appointment before she can start attending meetings.
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo
Nagamootoo admitted that the other Board members’ names were gazetted several weeks ago.
He said that he could not remember how long ago the opposition submitted its nominee but said that he only took it to Cabinet last week which was the “earliest opportunity.”
“But there is a procedure that has to be followed, so I do not know why Jagdeo is running his mouth. He has to be familiar with the procedures,” said Nagamootoo.
Meanwhile the Board has been having meetings without Shadick. But Nagamootoo has no idea what progress the Board is making. All he knows is that “they have been meeting.”
He said that he met with the members when they were sworn in about two months ago. The Prime Minister has however received no report since then. He said that queries about the work of the Board must be directed to the Board Chairman, Leslie Sobers.
However, for no less than four weeks now, Kaieteur News has been trying to make contact with Sobers but to no avail.
The legacy of the last GNBA Board appointed by the APNU+AFC is poor. Its work was almost nonexistent and members mostly fought among themselves. The Board was also accused of corruption but a Commission of Inquiry into these allegations found that they were false. Nevertheless, there is nothing significant to that Board’s credit.
Meanwhile, the issues that need to be addressed in Broadcasting remain many. Mainly, the APNU+AFC promised that it will reverse the wanton distribution of radio licences to Jagdeo’s friends and family of Jagdeo. The distribution was made days before Jagdeo demitted office.
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