PSC quells rumors of quarrel over UG Council member appointment

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) believes its public position on the appointment of a business representative on the Council of the University of Guyana (UG) was misrepresented.

A statement from the private-sector umbrella body on Monday night said it has no objection to the appointment of Allison Butters-Grant, the head of Global Seafoods Distributors Inc., as the business representative on the Council although it is disappointed that its nominee was not chosen.

The PSC had earlier sent out a statement lamenting that the Ministry of Education strayed from a 25-year old convention that the Executive Director of the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry (CAGI) usually sits on the Council because “we consider to be the Private Sector authority on education and human development matters to sit on the new council.

“It is important that the voice of the PSC which is the umbrella private sector organisation for business to be represented on the council. We urge that those responsible correct this anomaly forthwith,” the PSC said on the issue.

Giving value to concerns about a rift in the private sector on the matter, another leading private-sector umbrella body, the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) issued a statement in response, labeling the PSC’s position as “unwarranted.”

“Based on the current law, the Minister is within her authority to select a person that she sees fit to serve in the capacity of Councillor of University of Guyana representing the business community. Hence, the statement emanating from the Private Sector Commission (PSC) was unwarranted,” the GCCI said.

But in clarifying the issue on Monday night, the PSC maintained its disappointment but emphasized that it does not mean the body objects to the current appointment.

“The press release raised no objection to the nomination of any person on the Council but emphasised its disappointment that its nominee had not been considered, pointing out that this has been custom and practice over the last twenty-five years and the importance of the business community’s voice being represented on the Council as is required by the Constitution of the University.  The PSC stands by that position,” the PSC said.

The organisation expressed, however, that it is “unfortunate and regrettable, as we have already said, that its press release has been interpreted to mean that the Commission in any way intended to raise an objection to any person on the Council.”