The David Granger administration yesterday defended the appointments of Regional Executive Officers (REOs) countrywide, saying that while the appointees are “quasi political” they will bring a higher standard to regional governance.
“We believe that, as a government, we have the right to ensure that we have the right people in the right places to deliver the quality of service that we expect of them,” State Minister Joseph Harmon told a press conference at the Ministry of the Presidency.
The government’s statement comes in the wake of criticisms by the opposition People’s Progressive Party of the removal of the previous REOs. Specifically, the opposition has bemoaned the appointment of former AFC Member of Parliament Dr Veerasammy Ramayya as the Regional Executive Officer of Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne). It has called the appointment “hypocritical.”
Harmon, in response, said the REOs are not public servants but are contract employees and as such REOs who were not satisfying the requirement of bettering their communities did not have their contracts renewed or they were terminated, in keeping with their terms of employment. He said this was done to ensure that government’s programme was not stymied and that there would be no hindrances to the provision of quality service.
“The appointment of an REO is not one which requires a public service approval. The REOs’ appointments have always been quasi political. It has always been like that… they are contracted employees,” he said.
“In the areas where it was in the view of the government that those persons acting in the capacity of REO and their performance was not consistent with the standard which was expected by us…we had to make changes,” he added.
The previous PPP/C government had been criticised for exercising tight control over the REOs and filing the posts with persons close to the PPP.
Questioned about criticisms on Ramayya’s appointment and if it was done to pacify his grouse with the APNU+AFC government, Harmon stressed that the decision was one that his government stood firmly behind as it believes that Ramayya will not be influenced by politics but wants progress for the people of Region 6.
He said that the situation in Region 6 is one which government is analysing very carefully, given that there have been several reports of contract awards that are now being investigated.
“It was our view—because of the sums of money that we’re going to be spending in that region; the fact that in this budget, we have a very short and narrow window to provide a certain level of service between now and December—that we did not want anybody in position that would affect the flow of resources that will go to the people,” Harmon stated.
“Mr. Ramayya’s passion is to work in the community, where he is from, that is to work in Berbice. That is his passion…He preferred to work in an area where he is best suited; he prefers to work in an area where his talents can be best used and where he is most challenged. He feels that if he works in Region 6, that he can bring a greater quality of service to the people of that region and so that was his choice and we fully support the appointment of Dr Ramaya in that area,” he added.
Harmon promised accountability from REOs and overall better regional administration and development than that of the previous administration.
“A difference from what you are going to see from REOs under this administration, (is) we will hold them to a higher standard of performance and we will hold them to a higher standard of personal conduct. You will see changes in a quality of service at that level that is standard all around. That the RDCs make decisions for the utilisation of the resources for the good of the regions,” he said.
In July, the Ministry of Communities advertised for REOs.
Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan had previously emphasised that the operations and management of the regions should not be politicised.
When in opposition, the present APNU+AFC government and more so Minister Bulkan had criticised the manner of appointments of REOs. Bulkan had charged that they were appointed to carry out the bidding of the then PPP/C administration.
Bulkan had indicated his intention to let go of most of the previous REOs, while noting that they were on contracts which were expected to expire shortly. Later, he had disclosed that Peter Ramotar-brother of former President Donald Ramotar-had his contract renewed as REO of Region 7.
Shortly after taking up his ministerial position, Bulkan sent Region 9’s REO Claire Singh on leave, while stating at the time she understood “that she was playing an overt political role and that with a change in administration it was untenable for her to remain there.” Region 3’s REO, Donald Gajraj, was also sent on leave. The Minister had stated that the fate of the remaining REOs would have been determined case by case as most if not all of the REOs were political appointees.
“In the tenth Parliament the APNU was very critical of… what we saw as the politicisation of the operations and management of the regions and we criticised and condemned that political dimension…that was being practised in the management of our RDCs and the management of the regions,” the minister had told this newspaper in an interview.
He had contended that the political appointees as REOs were usurping the authority of the councils, which he said was “perverse.
“It was undemocratic and as I said it was perverse,” the minister had said.
He had emphasised that criteria would have been established for the hiring of new REOs which among other things would have encompassed qualifications and experience.
