…over leaked info on excessive spending of GM
…GM unlawfully issues dismissal letter
Mere hours after she was abruptly sent a letter of dismissal, Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) Finance Controller Moshamie Maraj-Ramotar has been reinstated to her position following the intervention of her lawyer and the holding of an emergency meeting.
Maraj-Ramotar’s lawyer, Sanjeev Datadin, told this publication on Monday that after Maraj-Ramotar had received her letter of dismissal, he took steps as per the Civil Procedures Rules to challenge her dismissal. One of those steps involved the lawyer sending a pre-action protocol letter to the newspaper.
“A pre-action protocol letter was sent to them…before we introduce legal proceedings, under the new rules we have to send a letter saying what we intend to do. We sent one to say we feel the termination was unlawful, and if is not corrected, we will be entitled to damages… if they don’t, we’ll file legal proceedings,” Datadin explained.
The dismissal letter sent to Maraj-Ramotar and signed by Duncan
And indeed, GNNL subsequently backed down from the impending legal battle. According to a statement issued later on Monday, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo called an emergency meeting with General Manager Sherod Duncan, Editor-in-Chief Nigel Williams and Chairperson of the gazetted but yet to be sworn in board of Directors, Geeta Chandan-Edmonds.
At the meeting, which discussed Maraj-Ramotar’s dismissal and the reports of excessive spending since Duncan took charge as General Manager, it was agreed that the dismissal letter would be rescinded. In addition, the release states, a full investigation was ordered into Duncan’s spending and the circumstances of Maraj-Ramotar’s dismissal. The finance official has been with the company for over twenty years.
While the letter has been withdrawn, there has been a barrage of criticism against management of the newspaper for sending the dismissal letter in the first place, without an investigation to determine who actually leaked the information.
The dismissal letter, which was seen by this publication, shows that it was signed by Duncan himself. One former board member has already taken to social media to recommend that the newly minted general manager be removed and the application process for the top spot reopened.
Excessive spending
It was reported over the weekend that Duncan, since taking up the role of general manager, had gone on a spending spree, purchasing in June a $190,000 laptop; and in July, an Apple IPad for $100,000. He also paid $159,000 to a consultant to work on the Guyana Chronicles Facebook page, while $191,000 was paid for work on the website and front pages.
According to media reports, Duncan also paid $400,000 to an Information Communications Technology Company in August for more work on the company’s website and front pages. A drone was also purchased for the sum of $140,000 in July, while $93,000 was paid for two backdrops. A retractable banner was also purchased for $55,000. This was all done at the request of Duncan.
According to local online news agency Demerara Waves, the spending continued into August, with $271,806 being paid for a truss and tablet floor stand; $259,000 for a computer for the Social Media coordinator. According to the report, the Coordinator was also the recipient of headphones, a hard drive and monitor at a cost of $65,000.
When it comes to the newspaper’s social media page, some $74,000 and $140,000 were requested to live stream the National Grade Six Assessment and the World Cup respectively. The outlet also reported that in June, Duncan requested $586,000 for a trip to New York.
This includes $104,000 for food. Tickets costing $149,000 were also purchased by the newspaper for Duncan. Interestingly enough, $20,000 was requested by Duncan for a prayer ceremony at the newspaper.
Then there is $200,000 the GM requested for a trip to Lethem; close to $500,000 spent on servicing the vehicle assigned to Duncan in the month of June alone; another $275,000 on repairs to his vehicle the very next month, and hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of furniture being purchased. The outlet reported that a freelance payment of $180,000 was also approved by Duncan.
The former Deputy Mayor of Georgetown was appointed the GM of the Guyana Chronicle only in May of this year. Sources have indicated, however, that even before these facts were published, the spending had been a source of concern at the entity.
The board is tasked with investigating the spending habits of Duncan, a member of the same political party as Nagamootoo.
