N.T.U.C.B. wants Commission of Inquiry to be fair

Still on the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, when we caught up earlier with the N.T.U.C.B., News Five queried their concern on the Commission of Inquiry that has been established by the P.M. to look into the allegations of impropriety in respect of procurement of medical supplies. The N.T.U.C.B. is complaining that the rules of engagement have changed for them.

Javier Roberts, Secretary General, N.T.U.C.B.
“We should adopt the same principle that we used when participating in the D.F.C. commission. If you can recall, that arrangement was whereby the government provided one commissioner, the N.T.U.C.B. provided another commissioner and then the third which would have been the chair was mutually agreed to. And we believe that is the fairest way to ensure that there is equity and that there is no bias. That is all we were asking and back then when they were in opposition they supported that format so we were just suggesting that format.”

Jose Sanchez
“But it’s the prime minister’s commission. He has the power, it’s his authority to appoint the chairperson. They feel that you are trying to bully them by demanding that you select the chair.”

Javier Roberts
“Well, Jose, it’s not a matter of bullying them. As we stated in our correspondence to the prime minister we were making certain recommendations in regards to the chair being mutually agreed upon. The participation of the N.T.U.C.B. in the drafting of the terms of reference is just a matter that if we are nominating a commissioner then we would like a bit of say in regards to what that commission will be doing.”

The N.T.U.C.B. says it objects to the lack of consultation in the appointment of the commission.