…two bites the dust
Pressie’s firing of retired Justice Cecil Kennard as Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) seems to be one more move in his inexorable drive for total control over the State – especially in Law and Order. There’s no question the Chair of the PCA’s appointed by the President but there’s no limit on the incumbent’s tenure. In this case, like with the Justices of the US Supreme Court, he can remain in office until he dies – or choses to retire.
Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan told the Press Pressie had given Kennard the boot. The reason given was his “age” – he’s nearing 80 – same as Clive Thomas!! They couldn’t get Kennard on the basis of the criteria stipulated in the Statute – he must be a Judge. This man was a CJ for a decade!! Maybe he can even be the Chair of GECOM!! Now if this firing isn’t a clear case of discrimination on the basis of age, what is? While not a sexy as discrimination on the basis of race, ageism is just as illegal. And we expect Kennard to draw a line in the sand on this one.
This is a perfect case to illustrate discrimination on the basis of ageism. Fact of the matter grounds fordismissal must be related to job performance and even Ramjattan praised Justice Kennard’s job performance. There’s no backlog to speak of in the PCA with over 800 complaints investigated last year! And the chairman travelling regularly to the regions to hear complaints.
He recently requested and received more investigators and announced that he;d be decentralising the office this year. What more do they want from the man? He’s shown no signs of slowing down – just like the Justices of the US Supreme Court. As Pressie has so comprehensively summarised the qualities a Judge brings to his office, Justice Kennard has always shown “intelligence, impartiality and integrity” in the PCA. What more does he want?
But Justice Kennard wasn’t the only ex-judge facing the axe – the Chronic announced Justice Prem Persaud, the indefatigable Chair of the Public Utilities Commission, has also been given the boot. Ageism strikes again!! Even more than Justice Kennard, Justice Persaud’s exploits were highlighted in the press – since invariably he did what he was supposed to do – stand up to the Goliath Utilities so that justice was done for the long-suffering Guyanese public.
It’s clear exemplary job performance doesn’t guarantee job security in Guyana key institutions.
But a thought just struck your Eyewitness – the three justices on the firing line are all Indian Guyanese. Just coincidence?
…humiliation for Ramjattan
No, your Eyewitness isn’t talking about Nagamootoo – who Ramjattan wooed to bring into the AFC and even stepped aside as its Presidential candidate – and who’s now gunning for his job. Ingratitude’s a badge of honour in politics! It’s the double humiliation the Chronic reported that when Ramjattan played messenger boy on the firing of Justice Kennard from the PCA, they insisted the latter department was in his portfolio!
Now if this is so – did he recommend the firing of the Chairman? If he was so au fait with the work of the Chairman and the PCA to be so effusive in his praise, was he even asked? Or has he so accepted his role as a rubber stamp, he rolled over and played dead? Imagine the new British Security Advisor won’t be working with him on the $17B Reform project of the security sector – but will be over at Ministry of the Presidency!
There’s the adaptation of the old homily – first they took away his authority over immigration…then…(you know the rest!)
…betrayal of their constituency
Trotman, disengenously claims there’s nothing Govt can do about City Hall’s venality on the parking scam.
What about insisting before signing the bylaws, they can only enter into contracts (Art 230) AFTER open bidding Art 231 (1)!
