Dr Norbert Masson not suitable EBC Chairman

Masson was appointed by the President "after consultation with the PM and the Opposition leader"; but most retired public servants have spent half their lives (33 years) pandering to the political directorate, some groveling to ministers’ wishes to gain promotions. Being subservient to the politician becomes all the more compelling when the PM has the veto on all top posts in the public service.

Section 121 gives the PM a veto over the appointment of all permanent secretaries, chief technical officers, director of personnel administration, chief professional adviser, and anyone designated a "department head." In addition to the top posts in every department — his veto extends to the deputy to any of the above as well. The PM controls the whole shebang.

Under Section 111(1), even the Judicial and Legal Service Commission must consult him before making an appointment of Solicitor General, Chief Parliamentary Council, DPP, Registrar General, or Chief State Solicitor, all posts requiring legal qualifications.

Could Masson be independent after 33 years as a public servant? In an interview after his appointment as chairman of the EBC in answer to a question as to his reason for his resignation from the former EBC under Oswald Wilson, he replied that the President (Mr Robinson) wanted him out; and therein lie the roots of Masson’s disqualification for the EBC chair, or for any post where an independent mind is critical.

The President appoints but cannot dismiss (except with cause). The appointee is chosen on an assumption of good character, good judgment, and independent thinking. He/she is not appointed to carry out the wishes of the President, or any one else. Masson’s stated reason for resigning from the Wilson EBC is the clearest illustration of my contention that public servants are conditioned to do the will of their master. All the other EBC commissioners held their ground against Mr Robinson’s rantings — Oswald Wilson, Lance Murray, Mark Ramkerrysingh, Raul John. Independent men of stature!

The public service is not the best source for service commission chairmen. Reggie Dumas however, is a very notable exception to this. After a distinguished public service career, and retiring as head of the public service, Reggie is very clear and outspoken in his comments on public affairs. I often wonder whether Reggie’s talents and vision were best utilised in the public service, where public service professional integrity required him to execute government policy, even if contrary to his advice, and those of other public servants.

MICHAEL J WILLIAMS

Maracas Valley