INTERVIEWER APPOINTED DEPUTY CEO OF NAMDEVCO?

DID Rayber Bowen sit on the interviewing panel for Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NAMDEVCO before being handed the job? 

Knowledgeable people want Minister of Agriculture Clarence Rambharat to advise the country on the back story leading to Bowen’s appointment. 

They also want clarity from Chairman of the Board Wayne Inniss and CEO Nirmala Debysingh. 

The concerned nationals are insisting on a public explanation on whether Bowen was one of the interviewers who screened applicants for the job. 

They are also asking for Bowen’s CV to be made public and for full disclosures on whether he has the qualifications for the senior executive post at the statutory body. 

Bowen is the 11^th member of the executive team of the company, whose mandate is “to create, facilitate and maintain an environment conducive to the efficient marketing of agricultural produce and food products…” 

Two new directors – Alpha Sennon and Mark Ramdwar – were recently appointed. 

On another matter, NAMDEVCO – National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation – has been accused by Couva North Member of Parliament Ravi Rattiram of not giving value for money in its food boxes. 

Rattiram claimed that each box is worth around $238, while Finance Minister Colm Imbert has valued the parcels at $581. 

The MP called for an audit. 

He also asked: “Has the NAMDEVCO food basket programme turned into a PNM slush fund?”