Concerned employees of Water and Sewerage are asking the prime minister to step in and address the “utter confusion and victimisation” that they claim is plaguing the corporation under its chairman Dominic Demeritte.
The Tribune reported on Tuesday that the escalating feud between the corporation’s general manager, Abraham Butler, and its chairman, Mr Demeritte had reached a boiling point, where one of the executives was expected to be “sent home” within the next 10 days.
Allegedly, the majority of the decision is resting on the shoulders of Works and Utilities Minister Bradley Roberts. It is speculated that he might be leaning more favourably toward Mr Demeritte.
Confidential sources claim that Mr Butler has questioned a number of promotions made by Mr Demeritte, who, it was alleged, was usurping Mr Butler’s authority at the corporation.
According to a letter received by The Tribune, it was alleged that Mr Demeritte granted salary increases for more than 100 employees, totaling more than $1 million, without reference to management or the board. It was claimed that the promotions were brought to the attention of the corporation’s
general manager through an office e-mail.
These promotions have essentially created a “role reversal” environment where senior staff now have to answer to junior staff. According to reports, this action is not being looked upon very kindly by Mr Butler.
In the letter, addressed to Prime Minister Perry Christie,staff members question whether Mr Demeritte should be the corporation’s chairman.
“If he is allowed to continue, past December 31, 2005, it is possible that a Commission of Inquiry could bring down this government and most of its own supporters at the corporation are watching this very closely,” the letter writer claims.
The letter alleges that since Mr Demeritte’s appointment as chairman, the travel expenses at the corporation have “skyrocketed”. They give as an example a three-week seminar in Washington, costing the corporation $20,000.
“At a retreat staged by the chairman earlier this month,” the letter continued, “which we understand was a complete failure, an organizational chart was presented showing changes to be implemented without reference to management or the Board.” It was alleged that it was a move to “victimize certain executives.”
When previously asked, Minister Roberts would not directly comment on the issue, but did not deny that the corporation was experiencing growing problems between its chairman and general manager.
“We live in very interesting and challenging times, and there will be differences. And it is not unusual for there to be differences; from time to time since I have been involved as the minister, for there to be challenges between a general manager and a chairman,” Mr Roberts said.
When earlier contacted by The Tribune, Mr Demeritte declined to comment. However, he was quoted in the Nassau Guardian yesterday as saying that while there have been some changes at the corporation, the claim that a “show down” is expected between himself and the general manager was “ridiculous”.
Calls to Mr Roberts and Mr Demeritte were not returned up to press time, nor could The Tribune contact Mr Butler for comment on the issue.
By PAUL G TURNGIUEST Tribune Staff Reporter
