The Board of Directors of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is soon to decide whether it will launch an investigation into the actions of the corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Richard Van West-Charles following complaints from staff members.
The board met yesterday and the CEO was discussed at length, a source told Stabroek News.
Stabroek News understands that employees have complained about the manner in which the CEO has been hiring persons as stipulated procedures are not being followed.
The Board was recently forced to terminate the services of Lear Goring as the entity’s Debt Recovery Manager. Goring was sent on administrative leave pending investigations into reports that he was not qualified for the position of Debt Recovery Manager. It was stated in a press release that following a review of Goring’s credentials, which did not satisfy the requirements outlined for the position, the decision was made to fire him.
The decision was taken after it was reported that Goring, said to be a friend of the CEO, was a drug felon even though the Board made it clear that the decision taken was based solely on a review of his qualifications for the job.
Prior to the revelation of his conviction, Stabroek News had asked the CEO about Goring, who is said to be a director in a fuel company that was recently granted a licence to import and distribute fuel and on which Van West-Charles also sits as a Director, and he responded, “And so what happened with that?” He terminated the conversation shortly after.
This newspaper has also been informed that another functionary was hired by the utility without the job being advertised.
According to sources close to GWI, James King has been employed as deputy security officer without the post being advertised. It is understood that the position is not in the established structure of GWI. Sources expressed disquiet after King was employed since he had accompanied Van West-Charles on an outreach to Berbice and was introduced as the friend of the CEO. Shortly after, King was employed by GWI.
Last month, the CEO had told this newspaper that retired colonel Frank Bispham, who worked at GWI before, has been rehired in the security department. “This place needed security,” he had said. “We have straightened out a lot of security issues. Despite the fact that you have a security company there are so many issues related to security that you have to protect.” He then said that in addition he will be attempting to have security cameras installed, especially at the water treatment sites.
“I have to make sure that the water treatment is not compromised. So you have to ensure cameras are there,” he added.