Teams from the old and new administrations have begun to meet and the transfer of contracts and long- term agreements are high on the agenda of the transition team which is being headed by acting Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Joseph Harmon.
Late yesterday afternoon, the transition team overseeing the change in administrations was locked in a meeting and Harmon told Stabroek News that high on the agenda is the transfers of contracts and long- term agreements entered into by the administration of former President Donald Ramotar. This, he said, would give the new administration a sense of the top issues that need to be addressed.
Harmon said that he has been having conversations with former HPS Dr Roger Luncheon who indicated that he already has the list of individuals who would make up the team for the past administration.
In his swearing-in speech on Saturday at the Public Buildings, President David Granger had announced that a team from APNU+AFC and the former government would be formed to ensure a smooth transition.
According to Harmon, also up for discussion is the transfer of government properties, assets and personnel.
The return of government vehicles and other equipment will also be under discussion as well which Harmon said is critical for the new administration to get on with the business of the people.
The acting HPS said that it is important for people to understand that even though there is a change of government, governance of the country has to continue and as such, apart from the former government ministers, all government workers are expected to turn up to work as per norm while the new government continues to be involved in the transition process with the former government.
Importantly, the permanent secretaries should be at work and Harmon said that the workers would receive instructions and guidance on the orientation process.
Harmon is the chair of the transition team which also includes from the coalition side: Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Carl Greenidge, Nigel Hughes, Raphael Trotman, Noel Holder, Basil Williams and Amna Ally. Harmon said that he had visited the Office of the President yesterday and President Granger would be at work today as the coalition has to “hit the ground running…we have work to do.”
Asked about the appointment of ministers, Harmon said that they are actively working to get this done and these would definitely be selected from persons who were on the campaign trail and are on the electoral list. However, he pointed out that the President can appoint some technocrats – persons who are not necessarily aligned to the coalition – but at the appropriate time, he would decide if he would exercise that right.
As for when the 11th Parliament would be convened, Harmon said this would be done as soon as possible as they understand how important this is for the country and people would be anxious since the country has been without a sitting Parliament for months. Ramotar had prorogued Parliament on November 10, 2014 after the opposition had signalled its intention to pass a motion of no-confidence against his administration and this was followed by him dissolving the body after he announced May 11th as the elections date.
The Speaker of the new Parliament will be selected from civil society once both arms of the coalition agree to that individual.
Meantime, Harmon said that it is his understanding that Ramotar has already exited State House and he said that it is now up to President Granger to decide when and if he would be moving in but before this is done, the building would have to be inspected.
