In protest of the President’s move to suspend Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Carvil Duncan from all constitutional bodies, the opposition People’s Progressive Party said its Members of Parliament will not be present when the President delivers his speech in the Parliament later today.

On Wednesday, President Granger, acting in accordance with Article 225 (6) of the Constitution of Guyana, suspended Mr. Duncan with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the proceedings of the Tribunal that was appointed several week prior to carry out an investigation.

The Parliamentary Opposition said it is deeply shocked by the unfolding events in relation to Mr. Duncan.

“These events manifest the level to which the APNU+AFC Administration led by President David Granger will descend to assault our Constitutional democracy. The implications and ramifications are deep and far reaching,” the PPP said in a statement.

The PPP believes the implications and consequences, which flow from all that is ongoing in relation to this matter are not only destructive to Guyana’s democratic ethos but is a frightening unleashing of Executive power on a high constitutional office-holder.

“In light of these very ominous developments, we find it impossible to sit through another lecture on democratic governance and constitutional propriety to be delivered by the President,” the statement added.

“To do otherwise would be a derogation of our responsibility as Members of Parliament. We must register our deep and abiding displeasure at such wanton Executive abuse of our Constitution and its important agencies”, the party said.

The PPP noted that it would, however, be participating in the debate on the National Youth Policy.

On September 15, the President in accordance with Article 225 (4) of the Constitution, appointed a Tribunal to inquire, investigate and recommend whether Mr. Duncan ought to be removed from office for inability to discharge the functions of his Constitutional posts.

Prior to that, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had written to Mr. Duncan calling on him to explain why a Tribunal should not be appointed but this letter went unanswered.

Mr. Duncan claimed that he had never received any correspondence from the Prime Minister. However, the Tribunal is in receipt of evidence that the Prime Minister’s letter was delivered by the Guyana Post Office Corporation.

In a release issued last Saturday, Mr. Duncan alleged that he was offered a “financial package” in exchange for his resignation. Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon has categorically denied the assertion made by Mr. Duncan that he was offered monies by the Minister of State or the President.

The Ministry of the Presidency said both the President and Minister Harmon had met with Mr. Duncan in an effort to have him voluntarily vacate the Constitutional positions he holds since it is undesirable for someone who is facing criminal charges to hold those positions.

Mr. Duncan is currently before the court on fraud charges after it was discovered by auditors that he paid himself close to $1M and allegedly conspired with Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Power and Light, Mr. Aeshwar Deonarine, for an unapproved transfer of approximately $27M into the latter’s personal account.

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