Compensation package of former Petrojam HR manager barred from public disclosure

Livern Barrett, Parliamentary Reporter

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Sancia Bennett-Templer faced scathing criticisms from lawmakers today after she declined to provide answers about whether the former human resource manager at Petrojam, the state-owned oil refinery, received a compensation package arising from her resignation.

Bennett-Templer says she has received legal advice from the Attorney General’s Chambers barring her from answering questions publicly over concerns about “actionable breach of confidence.”

“The advice from the Attorney General is that I should ask for a closed meeting to discuss the matter,” she told members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament.

The PAC is reviewing the findings of a special performance audit of Petrojam, which was conducted by the Auditor General’s Department.

Bennett-Templer’s response did not sit well with both Government and Opposition members on the committee.

“Chairman, I believe we are being treated with contempt and you need to advise the PS of the importance of this committee and we demand answers,” said government member Everald Warmington.

According to Warmington, her refusal to answer in public gave the impression that there is something to hide.

“I can speak on behalf of this government we have nothing to hide,” insisted Warmington, who is also the Minister of State with responsibility for Works.

READ: Totally illogical! ... Warmington objects to Petrojam drafting own forensic audit terms

For Opposition member Peter Bunting, the refusal by the permanent secretary to provide an answer was “an insult to the committee.”

“These answers are just attempts at obfuscation and delay,” said Bunting.

The committee, however, agreed to meet in private to allow Bennett-Templer to answer the question about whether the former Petrojam human resource manager Yolande Ramharrack, received a compensation package.

Ramharrack resigned last November after it was revealed that she was hired without the required qualifications and was earning $13 million a year, almost twice the salary of her predecessor.

Ramharrack's salary started at $6.9 million in 2017, but her total package rose to more than $12 million in a year as she benefited from an increase in the salary band.

It then moved to more than $13.04 million when all allowances were added.

Since her resignation, there have been lingering questions about whether she was given a multi-million compensation package.

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