Former ERC Chairman expresses disappointment in Press Officer

… says she once worked, trained with ERC

Following the controversy surrounding media reports of alleged racial utterances attributed to the President’s Press Officer, Lloyda Nicholas-Garrett, the immediate past Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has expressed his disappointment in the situation.
According to former ERC Chairman Juan Edghill, the situation is especially compounded as Nicholas-Garrett at one time worked with the ERC during his stint as Chairman. He noted that she benefited from training with the Commission.
“I am extremely disappointed. (Garrett) worked with the Ethnic Relations Commission when I was Chairman. Would have been on countless outreaches with us (and) would have received training.”
“So apart from her current job, she had a significant stint at the ERC, both in advocating for harmony among the races and would have been the beneficiary in training to assist in facilitating discussion at the community level.”
The parliamentarian therefore said the purported statements she made are therefore unfortunate. Edghill also noted that for persons at the Ministry of the Presidency to even feel comfortable in using that language compounds the situation. He also queried the usefulness of an investigation.
“What is the investigation? Is it to find out if she said so, with those words, or who leaked it? I would have thought that the right and proper thing to do is for her to acknowledge, be repentant about it and to explain her intention.”
The brewing controversy stems from alleged social media chat where the Press Officer purportedly exchanged messages with friends that included racial slurs and derogatory remarks about colleagues at the Ministry of the Presidency (MotP). The supposed leaks were shared by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Nigel Dharamlall, who called for her termination.
The Indian Action Committee (IAC) has already come out in condemnation of the allegations. The Committee, while welcoming the investigation reportedly launched into the incident, said it was gravely concerned given what was in the public domain.
It urged that the investigation be conducted thoroughly, unhindered, swiftly and its findings made public soonest, for such incidents can 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.