Embattled Press Officer accompanies President on UN trip

As President David Granger meets with world leaders for wide-ranging discussions, his Public Information and Press Services Officer Lloyda Nicholas-Garrett, who was recently implicated in alleged racial utterances on social media, has accompanied him to the United Nations General Assembly, in New York.
On Monday, reports surfaced that Garret was allowed to be part of the press team that accompanied the President on the foreign trip.

When contacted, Head of the President’s Press and Publicity Unit, Mark Archer confirmed that Nicholas-Garrett was in New York. “Yes, she is” was his pointed response when questioned by Guyana Times on Monday on whether or not the embattled officer was indeed part of the team that accompanied the President.
Last week, snapshots surfaced on Facebook of a conversation Nicholas-Garrett purportedly had in a chatroom which contained racial slurs and derogatory remarks about colleagues at the Ministry of the Presidency (MotP). The Press Services Officer’s official visit to the UN General Assembly this week has occurred despite a reported investigation being launched into her alleged derogatory statements.
This publication was told on Monday that a report containing the findings of the probe into the alleged remarks was handed over to the Head of State. Since the remarks of the purportedly private conversation were leaked, several individuals have condemned the comments. This list included former Chairman of the now defunct Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and Opposition Member of Parliament, Juan Edghill, who had expressed his disappointment over the situation.
Edghill recalled that Nicholas-Garrett had a significant stint at the ERC, where she was involved both in advocating for harmony among the races and had also benefited from training to assist in facilitating discussion at the community level. The parliamentarian categorised the purported statements she made as unfortunate. He had, however, questioned the usefulness of the investigation that was carried out.
Additionally, the Indian Action Committee (IAC) also condemned the Press Officer’s reported statements. The Committee had noted that it was gravely concerned given what was in the public domain. It had also urged that the investigation be conducted thoroughly, without hindrance, and swiftly, and its findings made public soonest, for such incidents could have national ramifications, especially given its reported source. The group also expressed its condemnation of anyone who resorts to the use of racial slurs and racial bashing in reference to and during engagements with others.
Meanwhile, Nicholas-Garrett’s boss, Mark Archer had remarked that the present Administration did not condone or endorse such behaviour. However, following the postings of the derogatory remarks, Nicholas-Garrett had also stayed away from a number of local public events, where the President was present.