THE Chairman and Board of Directors of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) on Tuesday terminated the services of Mr. Sherod Duncan as its General Manager.
Mr. Duncan served as the company’s General Manager from June 1, 2018 to April 2, 2019, the board said in a statement. His appointment took effect from June 1, 2018 and he was on probation for a period of six months.
According to the board, the decision of the Board of Directors came following a five-hour meeting at the company’s office, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park. During Tuesday’s meeting, Duncan, who was accompanied by his legal representative Attorney-at-law Mr. James Bond, had an opportunity to provide the board with an explanation and respond to the findings and contents of the audit report dated March 18, 2019, and additionally, to answer questions posed by the directors. He was asked to show cause why he should not be disciplined in accordance with the recommendations of the report presented by the Office of the Auditor General.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had ordered a full investigation into mismanagement at the GNNL under Duncan’s tenure as General Manager between June 1, 2018 and September 10, 2018. The board, in accordance with this directive, had enlisted the services of the Office of the Auditor General. A special audit on the overall management and governance of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited in the areas of financial management, human resource management and administrative management for that period was, therefore, done. It is noteworthy to mention that during the investigation, Mr. Duncan was sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the audit. The final audit report which followed Duncan’s response to the earlier draft report was yesterday examined first by the board and senior management and then by the board together with Duncan and his attorney page-by-page.
All directors who were present were of the view that, the numerous breaches identified in the report in all areas under review were serious in nature and that some form of disciplinary action against the General Manager was necessary, especially given the fact that he was on probation.
In the end, one director recommended a one month suspension and an extension of the period of probation. Two directors recommended an extension of the period of probation while three directors held the view that Mr. Duncan’s services should be terminated with immediate effect for ‘gross misconduct’. The board comprises a chairman and six directors (one of whom was absent at the time of the vote) and a workers’ representative without voting rights.
Following the call for a vote on the matter of termination of services, three directors voted against while three voted in favour of termination. There was a tie. Invoking article 94 of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, the Chairman exercised her right to a casting vote in favour of termination of services. Article 94 states, inter alia: “Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In cases of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote”. Mr. Sherod Duncan’s services were terminated with immediate effect as a consequence of that outcome.
The requisite communication to Mr. Duncan and his attorney would have by now been dispatched.
At all material times during this process, great care was taken to ensure that due process was adhered to and that fairness and natural justice prevailed. The Board wishes to thank Mr. Duncan for his services and wishes him every success in his future endeavours.
