PNCR leader Robert Corbin has called the appointment of new Police Commissioner Henry Greene “unconstitutional,” saying that he was not consulted by the President.
President Bharrat Jagdeo confirmed Greene as substantive commissioner at the end of last year. At the time, Greene had served in an acting capacity for two years.
At a news conference yesterday, the main opposition PNCR, however, flagged the appointment as an example of “yet another flagrant breach of the Constitution” by the head of state. Corbin likened the appointment to that of the Integrity Commission as well as the extension of the life of the Ethnic Relations Commission, saying it was a breach of the fundamental law of the country as it required consultation between him and the president. “The people of Guyana ought to know that the appointment is in breach of the constitution,” he said.
Henry Greene
He reminded that there were “certain concerns in the public mind” about Greene and he said consultation would have provided the opportunity for clarifications to be given. “So that any cloud hanging over anyone would have been cleared and put one in a better position to know whether one supports the appointee or not,” he added.
Corbin was referring to allegations made by the United States that Greene had benefited materially from the drugs trade. It was on this basis in 2006 that the US revoked Greene’s diplomatic visa and a visitor’s visa as well. However, Greene categorically denied the allegations and he stood by his initial statement on the issue at his confirmation. “I have never been involved in any drug activity with any drug lord and I maintain that position onto this day,” he said.
Meanwhile, Corbin ruled out mounting a legal challenge to the appointment. He recalled that in 2005 he had filed a suit challenging the constitutionality of the appointment of the Integrity Commission and noted that it has still to be heard. “When one looks at that… [and] when one looks at the time that the commissioner has before retiring, it might also be an exercise in futility.”
The PNCR yesterday also expressed displeasure with the appointment of Steve Merai as an Assistant Commissioner of Police, citing a notorious record of service that included allegations about his involvement in several extra judicial killings as well as an alleged link to drug traffickers. Corbin noted that there has still been no investigation or inquiry held to clear the air about the serious allegations. “In such circumstances it is outrageous that the police service commission could sanction such a promotion,” he noted, adding that the public deserves an explanation in light of the precarious state of national security.
Please mr president let us have a command structure that appears to be clean.mr merai caught on tape allegedly shaking down a player in the drug trade- promoted? is this a soap opera?
YOU WAIT MERAI IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT COMMISSIONER
There is an old Guyanese proverb that fits this apparent scenario and it goes like this: “Nobody want dutty powder”!
This is why Jagdeo was all over the new papers yesterday, trying to convince the people he is willing to work with the Opposition Leaders. So much so this is why all the Opposition Leaders walked out of Parliament yesterday.
Every body uses Burnham as an excuse, after 16 years PPP in office and are responsible for the Nation with numerous unsolved problems. Problems with Flood, Security, Land, Accountability for many state matters. These are matters for all the people to speak up about.
The opposition parties in Guyana are very weak and that places the government in a very strong position…Walking out of parliment shows weaknesses….
Re: “This is why Jagdeo was all over the new papers yesterday, trying to convince the people he is willing to work with the Opposition Leaders. So much so this is why all the Opposition Leaders walked out of Parliament yesterday….” Yours truly for one thought that it was a ploy to steal some of President-elect Barack Obama’s thunder in the run up to his inauguration on January 20. In any case… later for Jagdeo, Corbin et al.
It is soon going to be Obama’s Time! 8-)
simple let mr green make the letter public he received from the us embassy about his visa problem. now how mr green will talk to the usa the power house or they will bye pass him and talk to canu instead. anybody guest
garro,,,,,FYI, MR GREENE WAS IN THE UNITED STATES AROUND THANKSGIVING FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT IN MIAMI.
Re: “MR GREENE WAS IN THE UNITED STATES AROUND THANKSGIVING FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT IN MIAMI” The pertinent question which remains unanswered as far as the wide public is concerned is: Why was his visa revoked at that particular point in time by U.S. State Department Officials.
Corbin sounds like an empty can.
corbie, are you the president? the president, and not the opposition, has the authority to appoint whoever he wants to be commissioner.
So this is how things ah run in GT. There is consultation to be done. Jagdeo and his lawless govt will go in due time
Call de elections already in thin criminal enterprise called Guyana
I AM SO ASHAMED!!!!!
“keep it “LIT”
One party state now yuh ah seh?????
What goes around, comes forward around.
“Keep it “LIT”
Corbin you should learn from McCain. He did focusing on dissin Obama n look where he deh now. Instead of highlighting the mistakes of the opposition focus on showing the people what positive change can do. Get a move on it. Stop wasting time.
the law is the law and should be adhered to, a violation of the law is simply unconstitutional, but then again its the dictatorial mentality of jagdeo, NOW IF THE PNC WAS IN POWER THEY WOULD EXPECT THE SAMe. protocal has to be followed, if the comm’s appoint should be consulted on then it should,the political parties should comply inorder for them to get along.
EHeh is since wen CorBin and dem PNC bannas know bout constitution laws being broken, doan mek we laff,what happened to consultation at the Palm Tree CONgress with team Alexander and dem boys and gals.,Tell CorBin to practice that in e house before asking the Honorable Bharat Jagdeo dem stupitness.Tiger is wah really wrang wid u.”NOW IF THE PNC WAS IN POWER THEY EXPECT THE SAME”>>>>>>NEWS FLASH:tHE PNC WAS IN POWER:Looks like the snow freeze up some people brain…LMAO
You are so right Tiger. The law is the law. There is
a constitutional agreement between the President and
the Opposition Leader of the PNC.
A Minister of the Government pull a gun on a man and he, the
Minister is still on the job. The Americans revoked
Clement Rohee, Ronald Gajraj and Henry Greene visa’s and these men are still working for the Guyana
Government.
Steve Merai has one of the most notorious record in the
history of the Guyana Police Force, it was alledge that he
was caught on take demanding thousand of US Dollars from
a drug dealer and his involvement in several extra judicial
killings of innocent people and he was promoted.
Let me break it gently to Mr. Corbin. To be consulted you have to be relevant. You are not relevant to your own party you think that you would be relevant other wise. We all know that consultation with the opposition have to be mean full not a filibuster as they say in the states..
Mr. Corbin is consistently demonstrating that he is not capable of being a good opposition leader for the people of Guyana. He needs to step down and give someone with the intellectual ability to be opposition leader, and this should be done in time for the next election because the governing party is making a mock of him.
Jagdeo made and end run around Corbin to appoint someone whose family are/were ardent PNC supporters. It sting/ks. The question is would Corbin as president have appointed him with all that he is alleged to have done, consorting with and (en)rap(turing). In another society, the COP carreer would’ve ended at or about Dep. Supt. His appointment and that of Mr. Merai is not only un constitutional but criminal.