President agrees with PM; will allow successor appoint new members of Integrity Commission

File: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar - "We want to thank his Excellency President Richards very much
for allowing that process to be taken in due course by our new President."

President Max Richards has agreed with the views expressed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and has advised the PM that he would leave the appointment of members of the Integrity Commission to his successor, Anthony Carmona, who takes office on Monday.

Read related story:

Let Carmona choose new Integrity Commission members

In a letter to Richards last week, the PM suggested that the new head of state should make the appointments to the commission.

"Given the critical role of this Commission which will have even greater significance as my Government moves decisively to introduce procurement legislation which may well cater for the presidential appointment of a Procurement Legislator, and as well as our contemplation of the creation of an Anti Corruption Agency, it is my considered opinion that it may be more prudent and appropriate for the appointment of members of the Integrity Commission for a new term to be left to the discretion of the new President, who is himself well-versed in legal matters." 

On Monday, during a visit to Penal, Persad-Bissessar said Richards has agreed with her rationale. She said she has a letter from Richards in which he agrees to let Carmona choose the new commissioners.

“My office received a letter today (Monday) from his Excellency President Richards and he has graciously agreed that he would leave the appointment of the commissioners to incoming President Carmona. We want to thank his Excellency President Richards very much for allowing that process to be taken in due course by our new President,” she said.

The term of the present commission ends tomorrow. However, the Chairman's term is not up for renewal at this time since he was appointed November 1, 2011 for a period of three years.

The other commissioners are Gladys Gafoor, Dr Ann-Marie Bissessar, Neil Rolingson and Seunarine Jokhoo. 

At least one commissioner - Dr Bissessar - has indicated she doesn't wish to be reappointed because of heavy personal demands as a lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine.