Tobago Self Help project officer to face tribunal

A National Commission for Self Help Ltd employee with 17 years' experience will appear before a disciplinary tribunal next year to answer charges laid against him by his employer.

Project officer Julien Celestine was sent on leave in early December after an investigation by the commission.

CEO of the commission Elroy Julien told Newsday on Monday, he prefers not to reveal who will form the tribunal.

Julien said, “The organisation has commissioned its own team of persons to investigate the matter. What they would have done was a preliminary investigation which led us to believe that there are charges to be laid and as a result of that, charges were laid and he is expected to appear before a disciplinary tribunal in early January.”Julien declined to give specifics about the charges because he didn’t want "to prejudice the matter in any way.”Newsday also asked if this is the first time Celestine was investigated and appeared before a disciplinary tribunal, but Julien said he preferred not to respond. Julien said the approval of grants and new applications process will not be affected, and services at the Tobago office will be handled by another project officer, Keshaun Spencer.Julien said the commission will soon be advertising for a senior project officer in Tobago.“That position will be advertised in keeping with the Cabinet-approved structure,” he said.Calls to Celestine on Monday were not answered. He will remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the charges.

Celestine distributed $8.2 million in grants in 2020 for building repairs to Tobagonians affected by fires, natural disasters, or those with poor structures.

Celestine is the brother-in-law of PNM Tobago Council leader and Health Secretary Tracy Davidson-Celestine.