Guild President denies wrongdoing

Glenn Ramadhar-singh, president of the Guild of Students at the University of the West Indies (UWI) St Augustine, yesterday denied allegations of corruption and misconduct levelled against him by his secretary Fallon Lutchmansingh. On Thursday evening, Lutchmansingh said there was excessive spending on foreign trips and the recently held Hemispheric Summit of Students, causing the Guild account to be frozen as $1.8 million had disappeared. Responding to the allegations at a press conference at his Guild office, Ramadharsingh said Lutchmansingh’s pronouncements have brought the Guild, and the entire university, into disrepute. He said Lutchmansingh was an “illegitimate office holder” and terrorist because she does not attend meetings or press conferences.

He said it was not true that the Guild’s account was frozen by the bursary, and insisted that the bursary was responsible for regulating its finances. Flanked by appointed treasurer Danny Maharaj, Ramadharsingh said he was shocked by the allegations, and is exploring his legal options. He said the executive was attempting to have published financial statements and had commissioned an audit, but was awaiting additional information from the bursary. He said at the end of December, the Guild had a balance of $106,185.38. He was unaware of the current balance. Ramadharsingh described Thursday’s storming of the Guild’s office by students as “reckless and inconsiderate and a naked manifestation of bold political opportunism gone mad.” He said a similar situation had occurred last year around the Guild elections, and stressed it was an attempt to “subvert the democratic processes of the Guild.”

Ramadharsingh also denied that Tuesday’s election is a “snap election.” He said the elections are constitutionally due at this time, and the executive had given the regulatory five-day notice. Deadline for nominations was 4 pm yesterday. Ramadharsingh was undecided on seeking re-election adding, “When I see this unruly mob, empty statements and ridiculous assertions, I am tempted to go back into the ring and punish them politically.” He explained that he loved his job, and when he saw such behaviour, it was scary to think that “they want to occupy responsible positions.” Lutchmansingh, who is contesting the position of president, gathered outside the Guild’s office with her supporters after the press conference, and demanded justice.