Private Sector Commission says Constitution must be adhered to

Feb 24, 2019 News

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has resolved that it will not seek to force any of its members into silence, because their freedom to voice those opinions is a Constitutional right.
This resolution was sparked by a letter to the members of the PSC, sent out by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gaico Construction and General Services Inc., Komal Singh, with reference to the state of the PSC as it relates to the current political climate.
Singh had written that the PSC has exposed itself and its members to a charade of negative comments from the public.
He had said that the relationship between the government and the PSC has been questioned on many occasions and that it needs to make sure the commission’s leaders are held accountable “for actions that will have a negative impact on the business community.”

He sought to discourage the members from making public statements on behalf of any sub-committee, any member, or the Executive Management Committee (EMC), addressing any issues that have to deal with the current political climate.

Private Sector Commissioner, Kit Nascimento

He even went so far to single out Kit Nascimento, whose letter published on February 13, 2019, could have been interpreted to be of partisan motivation. For such utterances to be made, especially as they relate to the current political impasse, Singh had demanded that full council consider it first.
The PSC noted that everyone should be allowed to address matters of public concern and importance without fear from or favour to any political party, whether in or out of government.

The council met after the letter was released and, contrary to Singh’s warning, unanimously agreed that it is the duty of the PSC to represent, not just the business community, but the overall interest of the country. This means that its members would be free to express their views publicly, without sanction from the commission.
The release stated, “The history of the Private Sector Commission will record that the Commission has always
spoken out in defence of democracy, as an advocate for the respect of the Constitution, for compliance with the rule of law and for the stability of our country. The Private Sector Commission will continue to do so.”
The commission noted Nascimento’s singling out for his letter published on February 13, 2019 “in defense of the commission”. Singh had said, “Kit, I do not support your position and I urge you to desist from doing so unless you get full council approval.”
The commission noted that it fully endorses what was expressed in Nascimento’s letter, and that “the PSC’s mandate is to insist on adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law by all of the political parties.”

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