CEO sent on leave

PUBLIC Utilities Minister Robert Le Hunte and Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) chairman Romney Thomas today rejected allegations that WASA CEO Dr Ellis Burris was sent on leave because of planned mass retrenchment at the authority. The claims were made by former minister Devant Maharaj.

An email released by Maharaj said Burris is on 12 days leave, effective yesterday. The email said director Alan Poon-King will act as CEO in Burris' absence. Le Hunte and Thomas confirmed Burris is on leave. Le Hunte told Newsday Maharaj's claims were "fake news" because there is no intention for any mass firing of workers at WASA. He also said claims that Burris and Thomas were at odds on this issue were also false.

Thomas confirmed Le Hunte's position about no mass retrenchment at WASA. He said claims he and Burris had a dispute over this was "an absolute falsehood" Thomas said there is an internal investigation underway at WASA. He added it would be premature for him to make any further comment on the matter at this time.