NATIONAL Insurance Scheme Internal Security employee Vernon Griffith was reportedly asked to leave the premises of his employer last Friday because he was improperly attired. He was told he could resume duty when properly attired. But Griffith contends he was properly attired for work, being fully clad in his employee uniform, including his badge; the only thing exceptional he was wearing, he said, was a garland around his neck, which he said he had received on Old Year’s Night at Camp Ayanganna.
Griffith noted that the acting Chief Security Officer for the NIS, Mr. Linden Johnson, reported for duty for the first time this year on Friday, January 4, and it was Johnson who had summoned him to a meeting with acting Assistant General Manager of Administration, Ms. Sonia Morris, and NIS Welfare Officer, Ms Benita Moore.
Griffith said he had asked his superiors to put their directive in writing before he had left the meeting at the office, and Ms Morris had instructed Mr. Johnson to replace him with another staffer, which was done. However, Griffith said he again requested to have that request put in writing, but Johnson responded that he “had no time” with him, and made a mockery of the garland he was wearing around his neck.
Asked why he was wearing the garland around his neck, Griffith responded that he was on a particular fast.
He said Ms. Morris repeatedly told him she would get rid of him by all means, and he claims she said (NIS) is “a Burnham organisation, and (it) will get rid of any PPP supporters”.        
Griffith noted that he had been employed with that organisation for the past seven years, but that he also works as a part-time employee at the Office of the President.
Contacted by telephone, NIS Publicity & Public Relations Officer, Ms. Dianne Lewis-Baxter said the matter is now in the hands of the NIS General Manager, Ms. Doreen Nelson.