MPATT not sorry over new director quarrel

In a media release, MPATT President Dr Chunilal Ramjit reminded that Valerie Alleyne-Rawlins was deemed unqualified for the position by the Chief Personnel Officer, and referred to a memorandum from June 2004. He also said MPATT was seeking advice from its lawyers to see what legal action may be pursued.

He said that Permanent Secretary Hamid O’Brien, an administrative non-technical person in the Ministry, had advised that the requirements for the post should be overlooked in 1994.

"The CPO appeared to have accepted this advice and has consequently waived the minimum requirements. If this is so, then this post should have been advertised for any similarly unqualified person to apply."

Last month, MPATT called for an inquiry into the appointment of Alleyne-Rawlins on the grounds that she did not have a post-graduate degree and did not meet the minimum requirements to be appointed above other senior specialists at the ministry. In response, the Registered Nurses Association defended Rawlins and called for an apology from MPATT. The nurses’ organisation said MPATT did not consider her full range of training and experience.