GINA fires three staffers as restructuring plan begins

Three staffers at the Government Information Agency (GINA) have been handed termination letters as the massive restructuring by the new APNU+AFC government takes effect.

The agency has also received two resignations but maintains that it is adequately staffed to carry out its functions.

GINA’s new Director, Beverley Alert, who was an APNU+AFC candidate at the last elections, told News Source that employees who were terminated were either not performing their duties or their positions became redundant.

Among the persons terminated, was a driver for the agency. Alert said the agency currently has too many drivers and the one who was fired had resigned and returned to work for the campaign in the lead up to the May 11 elections.

She made it clear that all persons terminated will receive their full benefits.

An Editor, who Alert said had passed the age of retirement and was still working at GINA was also terminated. Alert said in this case the position was redundant since there were already two Editors and a Chief Editor.

The third person, Alert explained was a woman who was employed as a Special Projects Officer but who was “moved from department to department but was not performing.”

The resignation of the former Director Neaz Subhan was widely reported but Alert also disclosed to News Source, that the former Director’s confidential secretary also tendered her resignation along with him.

The new Director restated the government’s position to make GINA a more professional outfit following investigation, consultation and restructuring.

She said a training program will begin soon for staff members and as the restructuring proceeds a determination will be made regarding the staff structure.

The GINA Director said GINA is also holding discussions with the public relations teams of the President and the Prime Minister and other ministries and agencies to decide on the way forward on the dissemination of government information.

Alert made it clear that GINA will no longer operate as a media house but will be focusing on educating the population on government policy and how it stands to impact their lives.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who holds responsibility for the public information sector, had announced his intention to restructure the Government Information Agency to do the work it should be doing.

He said there will be a smaller agency which does better work in informing the Guyanese people of the work of the Government.

The Prime Minister also announced that there will be restructuring of the Guyana Chronicle and the National Communications Network. The Boards for both state media houses are expected to be replaced.