After Opposition criticism…
AGRICULTURE Minister, Robert Persaud, has announced that he appointed Mr. Patrick De Groot as the new Chairman of the Board of Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA). A letter, seen by the Guyana Chronicle, said the appointment follows the rescinding of Dr. Steve Surujbally’s appointment on January 12 and De Groot’s tenure will continue through August 31, 2012.
De Groot is, currently, Managing Director of Bounty Farms Limited and has had much experience in the livestock sector.
According to Persaud, De Groot is a “strong proponent of Guyana’s livestock industry” and will support the development of the sub-sector.
The Minister recognised the contribution of Surujbally, commending his “indomitable will and commitment” to the development of the sector and, by extension, Guyana.
The change follows President Bharrat Jagdeo’s request for Surujbally, who is Chairman of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to resign from the GLDA position after criticism by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Alliance For Change (AFC).
The Head-of-State, at a press conference Monday, maintained the appointment of Surujbally was not unconstitutional, as the GECOM Chairman is not being paid for his GLDA post.
On the contrary, Surujbally was serving his country in his area of expertise, Mr. Jagdeo said, noting that he is one of the leading men in that field.
Surujbally had, previously, served the livestock sub-sector in many areas, including as Head of the National Dairy Development Programme (NDDP).
He maintained his disappointment at the action of the opposition political parties, stating that he consulted with them before accepting the GLDA post.