YESTERDAY the Ethnic Relations Commission opened its doors after being starved for almost four months of its operational duties.
Its doors were closed after the joint political opposition parties in the National Assembly voted against the funds allocated in the 2012 National Budget for the constitutional body. The funds were restored to the body through a High Court ruling by Acting Chief Justice, Ian Chang in July.
Yesterday when the Guyana Chronicle visited the Queenstown office of the Commission, the officers there and the administrator were unwilling to speak about their being back at work.
The atmosphere at the office was one that appeared to be normal, as staff members went about their duties as if nothing had happened.
Efforts to get an official comment from the Acting Chairman of the ERC, Carvil Duncan, were futile, since he indicated that he was locked in an important meeting and will be available to speak with the Chronicle sometime today.
Former head of the ERC and now Minister within the Finance Ministry, Bishop Juan Edghill, had criticized the move by the opposition, saying that it was an unlawful act.