Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette as head of the RDC has written to Minister of Local Govern-ment Ganga Persaud seeking confirmation for the dismissal of acting Regional Executive Officer Deolall Rooplall.
Corlette told Stabroek News that he wrote to Persaud yesterday citing the dismissed REO’s failures, including his refusal to account for over $126 million in savings approved for the 2012 Work Plan. Corlette stated that REO has refused to provide accounting details for the money at a time when various tradesmen have complained about not receiving payment for work done.
Contacted yesterday, Persaud told Stabroek News that he was not fully aware of the details of Rooplall’s dismissal and would have to wait and discuss the issue with Corlette before he could make any comments. “I am anticipating that we will discuss and govern over this on the weekend. I do not wish to mislead you and I would need all the information to be in a better position to speak on the matter,” Persaud said.
Meanwhile, Corlette stated that the Municipal and District Councils Act ensured that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) be given the power to remove the REO from his or her post with the approval of the minister. He said that any decision made by the RDC should be respected as it is the governing body on regional matters.
Corlette said too that the RDC has cited various constitutional provisions, which allow the Chairman and RDC representatives to act in the best interests of their constituency.
The chairman said that the RDC was requesting the National Assembly to invoke Article 75 of the Constitution which states: “Parliament shall provide that local democratic organs shall be autonomous and take decisions which are binding upon their agencies and institutions and upon the communities and citizens of their areas.”
He said Region Four has the right to make decisions that are “binding” and he expects that Minister Persaud will respect the autonomy of the RDC. He said, “I would expect the minister to act on this letter quickly….”
Corlette said the RDC had noted that since 2012, the Local Government Ministry has used the REO to determine how funds are to be allocated, bypassing the autonomy of the RDC, which is unconstitutional.
He said that during Rooplall’s tenure, beginning in February 2012, he has refused to carry out various decisions of the RDC.
During a meeting on May 23, the council had cited Rooplall as being negligent in submitting plans to repair broken school furniture dating back to March. Rooplall was also accused of refusing to pre-qualify contractors who wished to bid on regional projects. Among other charges, Corlette said, Rooplall had also allegedly performed unauthorised registrations of Region Four vehicles in the name of the Ministry of Local Government, utilising funds from the RDC.
Corlette said that the Local Government Minister had an obligation to follow through with the wishes of the RDC as removing the REO will significantly relieve tension and allow for more cooperation.
Rooplall has previously had to answer for the uplifting of over $700,000 in fuel from a GuyOil station in December. The RDC had held a meeting in February where the various grievances were raised with Rooplall. After what the chairman cited as “constant disappointments” Rooplall was dismissed on Thursday by the RDC.
