Despite unresolved issues and an incomplete disciplinary hearing, Petrojam’s former Human Resource Manager, Yolande Ramharrack was given a gross separation payment of $9.2 m.

This was revealed in parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) by Chairman Mark Golding, following a closed chamber declaration by Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Sancia Bennett Templer.

Bennett Templer had indicated this morning that she was advised by the Attorney General’s office that she could not disclose if a compensation package was offered to Ramharrack.

The committee later remitted to a private chamber where she made the declaration of the compensation package offered to the former HR manager.

The PAC Chairman later disclosed that after deductions, Ramharrack walked away with $4.1 m.

In the meantime, Petrojam’s former General Manager Floyd Grindley, received a gross separation payment of $7.2 m from Petrojam.

Current Manager of Petrojam, Winston Watson confirmed that after deductions and taxes, Grindley walked away with more than $3.8 m, despite a plethora of violations against company policy.

Mr. Watson said the payment to the former Human Resource manager was approved by the current Board of Petrojam and the Ministry of Finance.

Meantime, members of the PAC have described the compensation package to the former Petrojam Human Resource Manager as a reward for incompetence and a golden handshake.

After learning about the more than $9 m pay out to the former HR Manager, committee members questioned why Ramharrack was offered a package despite the allegations of nepotism and questions over her qualifications and remuneration.

Member of Parliament, Mikael Phillips questioned the lack of closure regarding the investigations into Ramharrack’s actions.

Responding to Phillip’s question, General Manager of Petrojam, Winston Watson, said while a disciplinary hearing was started, it was subsequently suspended.

Dissatisfied with the General Manager’s response, Mr. Phillips said it set a bad precedent for the government to have offered a package to Ramharrack with findings of the investigation still outstanding.

Mr. Phillips’ point of view was supported by fellow PNP MP Fitz Jackson.

Jackson reiterated that in light of the breaches against Petrojam’s policies by the former HR Manager, he was hard pressed to understand why a package to the tune of $9 m was offered.