Dear Editor,
The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) wishes to address several inaccurate statements raised by a “Concerned employee” in a letter captioned ‘Complaints against the administration of NAREI’ that was published in Kaieteur News on September 8.
NAREI was formed in 2011 and is governed by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute Act (2011). All employees are contracted and based on performance their contracts are renewed. Even as management monitors the performance of staff regularly to ensure efficiency and effectiveness, employees are appraised on an annual basis.
The payment of gratuity is based on an employee’s performance and work completed for three months ‘resident service’. Therefore, if the employee is not on the job he or she cannot be assessed. However, mothers are entitled to their maternity benefits from the National Insurance Scheme. Furthermore, Cuban graduates working at NAREI are directly employed by the Ministry of Agriculture and assigned to the institute.
Management is pleased to inform that there is no gap in the organization currently. In fact, measures have been put in place to make NAREI more functional with the recent restructuring of its organogram. There is a new Finance Manager and in the case where there was a Deputy CEO and an Assistant CEO there is now only an Assistant CEO. The previous structure allowed for redundancy. Also, an Administrative Manager was hired, a post that was held by the previous Human Resources /Administrative Manager. A Senior Human Resources Officer is managing the Human Resources Department that is staffed with knowledgeable personnel. Furthermore, capable officers are carrying out the duties of Coastal Crop Extension Coordinator and Regional Crop Extension Officers (Regions 3 and 6).
Researches are executed at the Institute based on work programmes and budget prepared by respective departments and approved by the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors. NAREI is provided with adequate funding to execute all its research and extension work.
It is important to note that the Board of Directors is appointed by Cabinet and not NAREI. NAREI’s management cannot give directives to or influence the Board. The Board is responsible for ensuring adherence to the Institute’s policies.
The ‘Concerned employee’ has never brought to the attention of management the issues listed. NAREI does not believe in having employees feel disgruntled or disheartened.
Such feelings are counterproductive to the Institute accomplishing its mandate. Management is always open to suggestions that will positively impact on the Institute in keeping with its policies.
Yours faithfully,
Sharon Blair
Senior Human Resources Officer
NAREI
