CJ mum on National Awards postponement

CHAIRMAN of the National Awards Committee Chief Justice Ivor Archie said he has nothing to add to a statement from the Office of the President (OTP) that the National Awards ceremony has been postponed indefinitely.

The OTP, in a release on Tuesday, said it has not yet received the list of those selected to receive awards this year, and this compromised its ability to host the awards to the usual standard on September 24, Republic Day.

The OTP said it was aware that the National Awards Committee had extended its deadline for nominations from April 30 to May 29.

It also cited the impact of covid19 on the postponement and the fact the normal venue, the National Academy for the Performing Arts, is also subject to the restrictions imposed by the covid19 regulations in respect of numbers "and therefore even our slate of entertainers is adversely affected."

So, it concluded, "The OTP is constrained to defer the National Awards Ceremony 2020 until it can be acceptably and properly presented. It is our hope that it will be before the end of the year."

Newsday sought a response from Archie on the delay in the list and received this reply courtesy the Court Protocol and Information Unit: "Please be advised that His Lordship has nothing further to add to the statement of Her Excellency."

The other members of the National Awards Committee are: the Public Service Commission chairman; the Teaching Service Commission chairman; the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) chairman; a senior public officer appointed by the prime minister; and two people representative of the public appointed by the prime minister. The committee has a secretary who is also appointed by the prime minister.

Newsday tried to contact EBC chairman Mark Ramkerrysingh, but was unsuccessful. Attempts to contact the Prime Minister and the section of the Office of the Prime Minister that deals with the national awards were also unsuccessful.