With Cabinet continuing to note the award of contracts — despite the government being in “caretaker mode” — the Private Sector Commission (PSC) has advised its members to seek legal advice on the way forward.
The PSC, in a recent statement, referenced the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) which validated the no-confidence motion that was cast in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018. The Court, in its declaration and orders, has stated that “upon the passage of the motion of no-confidence in the government” on December 21, 2018, “that clear provisions of Article 106 immediately become engaged”; that is, that “the Cabinet, including the President, shall resign if the government is defeated.”
The PSC is contending that cabinet meeting flies in the face of the constitution and the ruling.
The private sector’s statements come days after the Ministry of the Presidency announced that the David Granger-led regime will comply with the orders issued by the CCJ and will restrain the exercise of its legal authority. This means that, while the Government will continue its routine management of the country, it will also address urgent issues that are in the public interest. While acknowledging its “interim” role, the government announced that Cabinet has not stopped functioning since it must continue to provide public services.
The meeting of the Cabinet is not sticking well with the PSC.
“It is totally unacceptable to the Commission that the President has a refused to honour the Constitution in announcing that the Cabinet shall continue to function. It is the Private Sector’s view that the President, by his behaviour, has put at risk all private sector entities and other organisations made subject to contracts and any other action authorised by the Cabinet, by presuming them to be legal. The Private Sector Commission has, therefore, advised its members to seek legal advice in this regard,” the PSC said.
