Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 19, 2018 News
Protection offered to workers willing to testify against council — LGC Deputy Chairman
Protection is available to workers of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council who are willing to come forward with information against the municipality at the Commission of Inquiry, (COI), Deputy Chairman of Local Government Commission (LGC), Andrew Garnett, told a news conference.
Garnett responded to questions from the media following the swearing in of retired Chancellor Justice Cecil Kennard as Commissioner on the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into City Hall at the Eping Avenue, Bel Air Park office of the Commission, yesterday.
“Workers have complained and their unions have complained. They are under the protection of their union and they’re under the protection of the Local Government Commission.
“There can be no reprisal, there can be no acts of victimization in the case of workers who exercise their right to complain about working conditions or deprivation of benefits,” Garnett stated.
He noted too that provisions will be made for those who wish to testify in Camera, (privately).
With Local Government Elections two months away, Garnett said that would be important to clarify that there is no political agenda in the execution of this COI.
“I want to make it abundantly clear that there is no political interference, no political influence, and no political agenda. We are carrying out our mandate as constituted in the Local Government Act and we do so fearlessly and without bias,” he added.
On Monday, the LGC in a statement noted that the decision to launch the COI was following a series of complaints about the financial mismanagement at City Hall.
According to the commission there are complaints against the Town Clerk for mismanagement of funds, for abuse of his authority by workers of the municipality and a number of agencies.
“There are complaints about contracts being awarded to friends and family, that procurement rules being bypassed, failure by the City to pay Credit Union, National Insurance Scheme for workers, much more.”
Meanwhile Justice Kennard said he will work expeditiously to have a list of recommendations presented to the LGC by October 31. He noted however that the speed of the investigation would be dependent on the witnesses and testimonies received.
The COI is scheduled to begin public hearings at the Critchlow Labour College next week.
An officer is stationed at the college which is located on Woolford Avenue and the deadline for submission of those complaints is Friday, September 21. The Commission has since processed eleven statements in relation to the investigations against City Hall.
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