[UPDATED] Gonzales: RIC has new head

PUBLIC Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales told Newsday on Tuesday the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) has a new executive director, replacing the outgoing head, Glenn Khan.

The minister was responding to claims by Princes Town MP Barry Padarath at a UNC rally on Monday in Princes Town ahead of the August 14 local government elections.

Padarath alleged Khan had been removed and replaced.

"Tonight I want to tell you they have removed the big boss, Glenn Khan, the executive director of the so-called RIC, an independent organisation, to put their political hack – the commissioner, then the consultant and now the big boss – I have it here in black and white," Padarath said.

He alleged the new head would earn $50,000 a month. Padarath alleged the appointee would justify increases in water and electricity rates.

The RIC Act 1988 says the RIC sets "principles and methodologies" for utility providers to decide their rates to supply "good quality and efficient" services at fair prices, while earning enough to fund necessary investment.

Gonzales told Newsday he had just returned from Tobago, where he had spent Monday on a number of projects. He addressed Khan's position.

"This morning I received on my desk written communication from the RIC chairman (Dawn Callender), advising me that the term of engagement for Mr Khan ended on June 30. So he was engaged on a contractual basis, and his contract of employment expired on June 30.

"Since before the expiration of the term of contract of Mr Khan, the board had commenced a recruitment process. They have appointed a new person. I don't have her name on my desk right now.

"So another person was appointed, given a contract to fill the position of executive director commencing July 1.

"So there was no stepping down, there was no termination, there was no firing. Mr Khan's term of engagement expired on June 30, and a new executive director was appointed effective July 1."

Gonzales said it had been "a very, very smooth transition."

He said, "But in typical UNC style, and you can quote me on that, they try to put bacchanal and confusion into the simplest things in the public sector."

Newsday asked about Padarath's allegations about the incoming appointee being "a political hack."

Gonzales replied, "I'll not dignify the statements of Mr Barry Padarath with respect to his continued disrespect and attack on public officials in Trinidad and Tobago and professionals who would have offered themselves in public service."

The minister said Padarath had previously made similar statements to RIC chair Dawn Callender when she was holding public consultations all over TT.

"So it's the same normal disgusting behaviour of the UNC to attack well-educated, strong, powerful women in positions of authority.

"I'd sincerely ask him to stop that kind of behaviour."

Gonzales did not know the new executive director.

"I have never spoken to her. I know nothing about her.

"But I trust the judgment of the RIC board that she is the most suitable person to serve in the void that was left when the term of engagement of the previous executive director expired on June 30."

Asked if her salary was $50,000 a month, Gonzales said he could not comment, as that was not in the correspondence he had just received.

As to Padarath's claim that the new appointee was chosen to justify rate hikes, Gonzales repeated that he did not know the new appointee.

He challenged Padarath to prove what he was saying.

"What is the basis for that statement? What is the basis for attacking a professional in this particular manner? I'm sure she has a family.

"This is disgusting. We shouldn't tolerate that as a country."

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

PUBLIC Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales told Newsday on Tuesday the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) has a new executive director, replacing the outgoing head, Glenn Khan.

The minister was responding to claims by Princes Town MP Barry Padarath at a UNC rally on Monday in Princes Town ahead of the August 14 local government elections. Padarath alleged Khan had been removed and replaced.

Gonzales told Newsday he had just returned from Tobago, where he had spent Monday on a number of projects.

"This morning I received on my desk written communication from the RIC chairman (Dawn Callender) advising me that the term of engagement for Mr Khan ended on June 30. So he was engaged on a contractual basis, and his contract of employment expired on June 30.

"Since before the expiration of the term of contract of Mr Khan, the board had commenced a recruitment process. They have appointed a new person. I don't have her name on my desk right now.

"So another person was appointed, given a contract to fill the position of executive director commencing July 1.

"So there was no stepping down, there was no termination, there was no firing. Mr Khan's term of engagement expired on June 30 and a new executive director was appointed effective July 1."

Gonzales said it had been "a very, very smooth transition."

He said, "But in typical UNC style, and you can quote me on that, they try to put bacchanal and confusion into the simplest things in the public sector."