Dear Editor,
Once again, it has become imperative that I respond to content in the media about myself, having read, the front page headline of the Guyana Chronicle (October 21st) captioned `NCN CEO gets higher pay than ministers –New Board uneasy about performance’.
As CEO, I am the executing officer of all policies of the Board of Directors of the National Communications Network and have always acted in accordance with this directive.
I was asked to manage a badly wounded company; but nevertheless I was able to transfer my exemplary private sector record to the public sector. And in a matter of months despite the political challenges that were brought to bear on my ability to manage the company professionally, I was able to implement strategies which optimized employees’ output and improved the management and overall functioning of NCN.
This has gone unnoticed. And I do understand why it has gone unnoticed.
NCN has over the years been the subject of much conjecture and ridicule. That conjecture and ridicule appears to have now been transferred to me personally.
I have within the past six months encountered several unwarranted and malicious attacks on my character and reputation. And most recently, the unethical exposure of my private information which sought to cause harm to my professional reputation. My right to employee/employer privacy has been breached in a most filthy way.
All of this it would appear, seems slanted towards making me a scapegoat for ills affecting the Company which predate my employ.
I wish to set the record straight as the article in the Guyana Chronicle did not seek my input or response to it prior.
As an ex-officio member of the NCN Board, I can confirm that the newly installed Board of Directors under the Chairmanship of Mr.Bishwa Panday has never convened a statutory a meeting.
The Board of Directors has never conducted a performance appraisal with me nor have they ever discussed with me any dissatisfaction with my performance as CEO of NCN.
Further, the chairman of NCN is on record stating that he is unaware of any dissatisfaction with my performance.
My monthly emolument is no different from what was enjoyed by any of the CEOs of NCN including my predecessor who acted in the capacity of CEO for 2 years after the substantive CEO resigned. A cursory glance through any of the audit reports tabled in Parliament will reveal this. For the record, let me state clearly that after taxes and other deductions, the salary of the CEO is nowhere near the $1M as was maliciously published by the Guyana Chronicle.
This seemingly orchestrated public attack on my character can only be interpreted as an attempt to undermine my authority as CEO of NCN and consequently, continue to infringe on staff morale. As a professional, I should not be subject to this unfair level of scrutiny and misguided conjecture.
Most importantly, my right to privacy has been snatched from myself and family. The security of my young children and husband is now officially compromised. And this has far reaching social implications and consequences; this wanton attack and careless handling of confidential financial information by despicable individuals who have a clearly set agenda should concern similar professionals within the industry and government and in fact any employee of a public organization.
Despite this unfair attack, I stand resolute in my functions as CEO of NCN and remain committed to the overall welfare of the staff of NCN.
Yours faithfully,
Molly Hassan
Chief Executive Officer,
National Communications Network
Inc.
