PPP Candidate mounts legal challenge to appointment of Trevor Williams
By Fareeza Haniff
[www.inewsguyana.com] –The controversy surrounding the pending appointment of Alliance For Change (AFC) Member, Trevor Williams continues to grow with the latest move being a court action by Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Saleesha Gafoor.
In a motion filed in the High Court and seen by iNews, the 26 – year – old Executive Member of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), is challenging Williams’ pending appointment as Director of Youth, stating that he violated the constitution by firstly not applying for the post nor is he qualified for the position.
Williams has not been officially appointed to the post and Junior Education Minister, Nicolette Henry clarified that he is merely a candidate who is being “considered” by the APNU+AFC government.
In the motion, it states that Williams has to go through the legal process of being interviewed by the Public Service Commission before being appointed as Director of Youth.
According to the motion, Williams also has to meet the qualifications which includes: A Master’s Degree in Social Work from a recognized University along with a minimum of five (5) years in Social Work, at least two of which must be involved in youth work; or a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from a recognized University PLUS a minimum of seven years in Social Work, at least three of which must be involved in youth work; knowledge of and experience in using social research methods would be valuable.
Gafoor in her motion states,“I verily believe that the said Trevor Williams is not qualified to hold the said office as per the job description issued by the Public Service Commission…That I inquired from the Public Service Commission and was duly informed and do verily believe that this appointment was not made by the Public Service Commission.”
According to the motion, Williams is already functioning as the Director of Youth, which has been deemed illegal. The matter comes up for hearing in the High Court on June 17.
The PPP Candidate is being represented by former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall.