Dear Editor,

This letter is in response to an article in SN dated June 27, captioned “Gov’t to press for prosecution of delinquent co-op managers.’

A co-operative society is a legal entity formed by members out of a common need who own and control their organization. A society is registered by the Chief Co-operatives Development Offi-cer (CCDO) who has the legal authority in keeping with the Co-operative Societies Act Chapter 88:01, and only he has the authority to dissolve the society.

The general meeting of members is the supreme authority in making decisions on behalf of the society. The Annual General Meeting of a society is held after the society’s books have been audited by an auditor appointed by the CCDO, who has the legal authority to do same.

After the report is submitted to the CCDO, it is vetted and released to the society for it to make  preparations to hold its Annual General Meeting. Decisions made here are voted on and majority decisions are final.

A society may appoint a manager if necessary to manage its affairs in keeping with a planned programme and policy decisions.

I therefore find it totally unacceptable and a clear violation of the powers vested in the CCDO and the Cooperative Societies Act and regulations for Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir to suggest that government press for the prosecution of delinquent co-operative managers.

The Co-operative Societies Act allows the CCDO to hold an inquiry or investigation into the operations of a co-operative society and if recommended, appoint a manager to manage on his behalf. The manager so appointed, therefore, has the responsibility of submitting regular reports to the CCDO. At present the CCDO has no staff in the regions. This is a very serious matter and must be urgently addressed by those in authority.

Co-operators therefore have the duty and responsibility to ensure that regional unions are formed and functioning, also that the apex body in Guyana, which is the National Co-operative Union, the representative body for all co-operative societies across the length and breadth of Guyana, is functioning.

What is urgently needed is training for members of co-operative societies to know their roles, duties, rights and responsibilities. This is the responsibility of the apex organization.

Yours faithfully,
Charles Conway
Former Assistant Chief Co-operative
Development Officer
Audit and Regulatory