Trinidad Guardian
March 01, 2013 – guardian.co.tt
There is great cause for concern over the news that the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) plans to appoint former secretary of finance and enterprise development Dr Anselm London as a senior consultant in his former division, which is now headed by the recently elected Joel Jack.
Dr London, a man of advanced age, who stepped down ahead of January’s THA election after serving in the position for more than 11 years, is the cousin of Chief Secretary Orville London. That alone raises questions and is generating considerable discomfort.
In addition, his proposed employment as a senior consultant in the division comes with a monthly remuneration package of $60,000, as well as other costs which are not yet in the public domain.
In seeking to justify the hiring of Dr London as a senior consultant, Mr Jack claimed his predecessor was the only person with the expertise in the field in Tobago. Since the position was not advertised, Mr Jack needs to explain by what means he and other members of the THA Executive Council determined that there is no other professional on the island with the technical capacity and knowledge for the job.
Full Article : guardian.co.tt
THA nepotism?
Newsday
March 01, 2013 – newsday.co.tt
WE await to see how the scenario will play out in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) over plans to appoint the retiring councilor and former head of the Division of Finance, Dr Anselm London, to a plum post as consultant to the division at a sum of $60,000 per month.
The proposal came from THA chief secretary, Orville London, on Tuesday, saying the appointment of his cousin had been “approved but not confirmed.” A note was due to go to the THA’s Executive Council last Wednesday.
Full Article : newsday.co.tt
UNC condemns London appointment
THE United National Congress (UNC), the lead political party in the ruling People’s Partnership coalition, yesterday condemned the hiring of Dr Anselm London by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) as a consultant at a salary of $60,000 per month.
How does the THA know that noone else is qualified enough to do the job?? Are they saying that the job over the past years was so perfectly done that the new person needs to be coached by the outgoing person?? Or is the coaching/advice going to be something that we shouldn’t know?? The biggest question is why would anyone want to be encumbered with what was done in the past?? Turn the page and do something more advanced.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely….nobody in Tobago is going to oppose the Chief Emporer. He already told the PM to stay out of Tobago affairs… Tobago will have more millionaires per capita than any other nation it’s size. If you look like Orville and your last name London head to Tobago.
london this is not a good idea to hire your family ..plain and simple.what not good for the gander CANNOT be good for the goose.but london what even make you think this will be acceptable? this is basic common sense ? like all ya does loss all ya basic common sense when all ya win ? this is the same s**** kamala do and everybody make a big stink about it well nothing ent change ,it was stink them and it stink now. is it to soon for meh to sing ‘london bridge is falling down,falling down ,falling down …
Seriously the Chief Emporer was given a mandate of 100% seats, that means he can do whatever he wants. He can hire and fire almost anyone. That is the nature of power. Will people agree to what he is doing? NO but that does not matter because when you are given power you can weild it as you so choose. Only the press can make what he is doing public because there is NO opposition.