PPP replaces Robert Persaud, others on Central Committee

NOVEMBER 17, 2015 | BY KNEWS | FILED UNDER NEWS

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has elected some new members to its Central Committee, the second highest decision-making body of the PPP.

Former Minister, Robert Persaud

The media was told yesterday that the Committee met on Saturday last at Freedom House. PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee, during a press conference, yesterday, said that three seats were vacant on the committee for quite some time. Those seats were filled Saturday. Rohee said that the committee unanimously declared vacant the seats previously occupied by Robert Persaud, Navin Chandarpal and Omar Sharief. Persaud served Guyana in numerous positions under the PPP. He was once the head of the Government Information Agency (GINA) before becoming Minister of Agriculture. His most recent position was Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. Persaud was one of the few members of the PPP hierarchy who acknowledged the electoral victory of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC). Rohee said that Persaud had been absent from meetings for a “very long time now.” He said that Persaud was contacted for an explanation of his absence but none was offered. Rohee said that while no formal resignation was tendered, the PPP constitution gives the Central Committee the right to fill a seat that is declared vacant on the grounds of prolonged absence without explanation. The General Secretary did not say whether Sharief’s seat was declared vacant as a result of non- attendance at meetings or if he tendered his resignation. Sharief was a candidate on PPP’s list of electors for the last General and Regional election. He is now the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of the Presidency. Chandarpal’s seat was declared vacant as a result of his death. Persaud, Sharief and Chandarpal will be replaced by Bibi Shafora Shadick, Majeed Hussain and Harrinarine Baldeo. Shadick is a former Minister and also served as a Member of Parliament. She currently represents the PPP as a Commissioner on Guyana’s Elections Commission. Rohee has told the media that the Central Committee reserved for consideration at a later date, the status of the seats on the Central Committee occupied by Hydar Ally, Chitrekha Das and Gurdat Shivperaud. Filling of two seats at the level of the Executive Committee declared vacant with the passing of Chandarpal and non-attendance of Persaud as well as, a vacant seat with the resignation of Hydar Ally, will all be considered at a later date by the Central Committee, said Rohee.