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.