Some Opposition Leader assets handed over to PPP; Others outstanding
The Office of the Leader of the Opposition, in a statement on Thursday, described as “dishonest and conflicting”, statements emanating from Minister of State, Joe Harmon with respect to the transfer of assets for the Leader of the Opposition’s office.
Chief Whip of the Opposition, Gail Teixeira is reportedly the appointed person to receive the assets on behalf of Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo and claims she has been in constant contact with Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs to facilitate the handover.
“Teixeira had indicated the intention of moving the assets on Monday, October 5, 2015and same was communicated to Mr. Isaacs,” the statement added.
The PPP claims that on Saturday evening, Teixeira was advised that the transfer could not be done on Monday, as Harmon had indicated that “they are not ready as yet,”hence the date was change to Thursday October 8, 2015.
During this period, Mr. Harmon publicly declared that with regards to the transfer of the assets, that,“They could have it now, they could have had it last week.”
However, upon arrival at the former Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Ms Teixeira and two other Members of Parliament were advised by one Mr. Backer that they were only allowed to move a few desks and chairs, a photocopier, two filing cabinets, a partition and a water dispenser, the PPP said.
Further, they were told that the remaining items which are located in the upper flat of the building could not be handed over since Advisers from the Ministry of the Presidency were still using them.
There were also items on the ground floor, which had the Office of the Leader of the Opposition tags, which were not allowed to be moved.
The party added that there was no definite indication as to when these items will become available so as to complete the setting up of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, a constitutional Office.
“The Ministry of the Presidency has no role in the transfer of the assets from the Parliment Office to the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.
This intrusion by the Ministry of the Presidency is a deliberate attempt to stymie the work of the Leader of the Opposition.”
