AFC’s Trotman still to explain presence at meeting over Gecom Chairman

Raphael Trotman

Alliance for Change Leader Raphael Trotman is still to explain his presence at the State House meeting when President David Granger informed Opposi-tion Leader Bharrat Jagdeo of his unilateral choosing of Gecom Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson.

As Natural Resources Minister, Trotman would have had no reason to be present. It would appear that he was present in his capacity as AFC leader to show coalition unity over the selection of Justice Patterson. If that were the case, it is unclear if Trotman had been told beforehand what the meeting was about, whether he objected to the President over it and whether his party had been consulted. While Trotman was present at the meeting where Jagdeo was informed, he was not present at Justice Patterson’s swearing in a few hours later and has since not answered questions from Stabroek News on the matter.

However, AFC Execu-tive Dominic Gaskin yesterday said that the party’s executive was aware of Trotman’s presence and stands by a statement in which it said it supports the president’s decision.