PPP condemns removal of Permanent Secretaries

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Guyana’s main opposition Party – the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has described the removal of two Permanent Secretaries as unlawful.

iNews had reported that Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Communities (formerly Ministry of Local Government), Collin Croal along with Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Indigenous People Affairs (formerly Ministry of Amerindian Affairs), Nigel Dharamlall have been sent home until further notice.

In response to this, the PPP in a statement noted “We note the unlawful removal from office of two Permanent Secretaries, the dismissal of several employees in government and state agencies, the demotion and transfer, as well as, the reduction of remuneration of most of the Presidential Guards and the capricious disciplinary sanction imposed on a senior official of the Child Care and Protection Agency.”

According to the PPP, the employees are being punished “simply on the basis of their perceived professional support for the Peoples Progressive Party Administration.”

While the details surrounding the sending home of the Permanent Secretaries are unclear, the two men have been reluctant to comment on the issues. Newly sworn in President, David Granger had recently stated that he accepted the resignation of those PS who resigned to join the elections campaign of the PPP/C.

Both Croal and Dharamlall were present during the PPP’s campaign and had resigned but withdrew their resignations shortly before the APNU+AFC was announced the winner.

When contacted on Friday evening, Croal told iNews that he does wish to comment on the issue and is awaiting an official or public pronouncement on the decision from the Minister of Communities.