Later on in the conversation about NICH, the Deputy Prime Minister was making the point that Sapna Budrani is being confirmed as the new President, and that there will be a new Administrator. He also added that there will be a fully functional board of directors for the organization, and when we probed a bit deeper, he revealed that political journeyman Phillip Willoughby is now 1 of the 4 people that has been appointed.
Here's what he had to say about Willoughby joining NICH, and how it affects his aspirations to become the UDP standard bearer for Port Loyola:
Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister
"I signed the appointment for the new 4 members; 2 returning and 2 new ones earlier this week."
Reporter
"Sir, is one of those persons Phillip Willoughby?"
Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister
"Yes it is. I can confirm that Mr. Willoughby is appointed to the NICH board. I believe he brings a tremendous ability to work in that area. You know that he has been very involved in the work of the city and not only the city. He brings a lot to the table. So we have appointed Mr. Willoughby, yes."
Reporter
"Sir would this then pave way for him to be able to run for standard bearer for Port Loyola?"
Hon. Patrick Faber
"One thing doesn't have anything to do with the other. It is not a job that Mr. Willoughby has been given at NICH; serving on the board is not a job; it is not a paid position whatsoever. So it is neither here or there whether that allows him to run. My understanding if you are asking me separately from his appointment to the NICH Board. He was told as the case with other people who are aspiring that you cannot hold a government job whether it is by your official appointment or a contract, because a contract has a stipulation in there that says that you are to be treated with just as if you were a member of public service - that you would not be able to offer yourself as a candidate and the UDP government being what it is - always trying to do the right thing said to those persons that you would have to make a decision, either you choose not to run or if you choose to run, you vacate the office that you hold and I believe Mr. Willoughby made it clear to all concerned that he would be resigning his position. In fact you may see a copy of his intention to do so that he wrote to the C.E.O. in the Ministry of NEMO."
Email
Print