Dear Editor,
I got it from inside the local Freedom House at Lethem that the 9 Councillors on the RDC for the PPP are planning to move a motion of no confidence in the Regional Executive Officer, Carl Parker.
What do these people want of this gentleman? They hounded him out of his job as Deputy Regional Executive Officer. They ensured that he could get no work anywhere in Guyana. As far as I am aware, Carl Parker is more than qualified for the job of REO. He got the Prime Minister’s Medal in 1997 for the Best Graduating Student in Public Management.
The PPP is saying that Parker should be disqualified because he was an immediate past Regional Councillor. Oh how the shoe is tight when it is on the other foot. Desmond Kissoon, the PPP point man here, moved directly from Regional Vice Chairman to Regional Executive Officer. Ms Clair Singh moved directly from Regional Vice Chairman on the 2006 RDC to Regional Executive Officer on the 2011 RDC.
So what is different with Carl Parker who was just an ordinary councillor? I will tell you. Carl Parker knows the system, something that the PPP is uncomfortable with. Parker, at the inaugural sitting of the RDC on 30th June carried on that meeting without prompting from anyone, something that I have not seen with other REOs. Everyone was pleased with the orderly, professional manner in which the proceedings were conducted.
During the meeting, Parker could be seen advising the PPP Chairman on how to conduct the rest of the meeting when he took his chair.
I have information too that Mr Parker has already gained the respect and admiration of his staff, many of whom are known supporters of the PPP. Parker has also started a process to employ young people in the office. He took over a vacancy list of more than 170. He has already recommended 26 persons to fill those vacancies, an action that is not surprising since throughout his discourses he has always maintained the position that enough is not done for the youths.
To demonstrate, a young man went to his office with 8 CXC Grade Ones, 2 Grade Twos and 3 Grade Threes in addition to three Grade Twos at CAPE. The gentleman was looking for work in the office. From reports received, Parker sent for the Regional Health Officer to ascertain how the young man can be absorbed into the health system since he had Grade Ones and Twos in all of the science subjects. I was told that Parker was able to convince the young man to take up a career in the medical field.
I am confident that the past officials could not care less if the fellow had 8 Grade Ones or 8 Grade Fives.
The Region needs Parker, but the PPP would want him gone because they would get a free reign to use the Region’s resources.
I now call on all Rupununians to raise their voices against this malicious plan. I also call on the Minister of Communities to give Parker the support he needs to function effectively. If that is not done, then the PPP will ride roughshod over us.
Yours faithfully,
Carlton Beckles