Are court orders being treated seriously?

Formal Complaint and Request for Full Forensic Audit and Investigation into Alleged Procurement Irregularities, Conflicts of Interest, and Breaches of Engineering Standards in Public Works Contracts

World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Dear Editor,

In the Sunday 21st January edition of Stabroek News, an article was published, entitled “Special meeting of Public Service Credit Union called as battle continues for control”. The article refers to an advertisement that was placed in the said newspaper. This piqued my interest.

A close relative of mine is a longstanding member of the Credit Union, and has expressed concerns to me about the way the majority of the Committee of Management (CoM) members are treating with the orders of the court with respect to the holding of the Special General Meeting (SGM).

It is my understanding that this is the second order of the court in under two years. The first being September 30th, 2022 and the most recent December 15th, 2023. On both occasions the CoM was essentially non-compliant. Are court orders being treated seriously?

On the first occasion, the CoM held a sham SGM on October 24th, 2022. The SGM was devoid of any of the actions ordered by the court. In its most recent order, the court held that the CoM did not comply with its order. New orders were issued, including, but not limited to:

1) SGM to be held on February 5th, 2024,

2) IT Company used by the CoM in 2021 for its AGM to be hired to provide support for the virtual component of the meeting and for voting purposes.

3) Advertisements for the SGM must be placed in at least two newspapers no later than January 21st, 2024.

4) Locations to be set up in all ten administrative regions for the hosting of meeting; and

5) Committee members, Patrick Mentore, Rajdai Jagarnauth and Trevor Benn to administer all arrangements for the SGM.

Since the last order was passed on December 15th, 2023, it is my understanding that the three court-appointed committee members have been prevented from carrying out their responsibilities.

The CoM has instructed the Chief Executive Officer to disregard instructions from the three members. The staff has also, purportedly, been instructed not to give any support to the three members. The result is that no arrangements except the advertisement of the SGM has been put in place.

The IT company is yet to be retained, no venues in the regions identified, and no budget allocated for the meeting.

Members of the Credit Union are quite frustrated and disappointed in the present state of affairs, and would like urgent action to be taken to ensure that the petition of the members and the orders of the court are implemented without delay.

Yours truly,

Joshua Luke