Local News

New Farmers Representative In Senate To Be Elected

Agriculture and fisheries organizations as well as stakeholder groups will have the opportunity to elect a farmers representative to the senate on Friday. The nomination of Keith Clouden by the farmers’ organization GARFO is now null and void, after some sectors expressed disapproval, claiming they were excluded from the process.

Representatives from the Grenada Cocoa and Nutmeg Associations and the Southern Fishermen Association discussed the issue with Prime Minister Tillman Thomas on Tuesday during which time the date for nomination was arrived at.

The Grenada Co-operative Nutmeg Association, the Grenada Cocoa Association and the Southern Fishermen Association have expressed concern that they and other stakeholders did not have the opportunity to participate in the nomination.

Clouden was unanimously elected during a recent meeting of the Grenada agricultural and farmers’ organization, GARFO.

The associations contend that the organization was dysfunctional for quite some time and questioned why the election of officers and the senate nomination was held at the same meeting.

The farmers’ organization GARFO was accused by some associations of pre-empting the selection of Mr. Clouden, since it is the Prime Minister’s decision as to which bodies will have representation in the Senate.

Now that Mr. Thomas has included agriculture among the interest groups the way is clear for the nomination.

The associations hope to settle on guidelines to ensure that the Senator serves the interest of all.

Member of the GCNA board of Directors Augustine Vesprey says if there is dissatisfaction, there is the possibility of ending the tenure before the end of the two year term.Friday’s meeting will be chaired by Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office Lana Mc Phail.

She says all farmers and fishermen’s associations as well as stakeholder groups are invited to be part of the discussion and nomination at the ministry of works conference room starting at eleven in the morning..

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