Observers have expressed concerns that certain positions within the Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) have been filled without the due procedures being followed, citing example of cases in Regions two and three.
They have told Stabroek News (SN) that five months after a vacancy existed for a Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) for Region Three, no vacancy was advertised but the position was filled.
According to a source, no discussion was held at the RDC statutory meetings about a new DREO being appointed.
He pointed out that he just noticed “that a woman came and occupy the chair.” He later learnt that she was Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall. She is a former Member of Parliament with the People’s National Congress and had migrated. The question to be answered is how she came to be selected.
The source pointed out that Ferreira-Dougall, 63, is past the retirement age of 55 and that two employees from the region were sent home because they were 58 and 59-years-old.
He lamented that the “position ought to be advertised” to give other people a chance to apply. They have a lot of young people who are qualified and could have filled that position.”
When SN contacted Ferreira-Dougall on the procedure for her appointment, she snapped: “Why are you asking me that? Why don’t you ask the Public Service Commission or the Ministry of Presidency?”
The Ministry of the Presidency should have nothing to do with these appointments. Stabroek News was unable to contact the Public Service Commission (PSC).
An official from Region Five told SN that the procedure is for the PSC to advertise the position and for eligible persons to apply.
The official said that the selection is usually done based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant. The PSC would then conduct interviews in the presence of a representative from the RDC.
The applicant is required to have a university degree, a diploma or certificate and at least 15
years of experience with five years in a senior management position in the public sector.
The official said that the present DREO, Govind Singh did not have to officially apply for that position because he “had been in the system for a while.”
He worked at the region for some time before assuming the position of Regional Development Officer, he was then sent to the Palms to serve as the Administrator before being assigned to the position of DREO.
In the case of Region Two, a young professional, Haimraj Hamandeo who is the holder of a Masters Degree had been accepted for the position of DREO.
The vacancy arose after the former DREO, Sunil Singh was transferred to another region. Hamandeo applied and the Regional Executive Officer of the region, Rupert Hopkinson was present for the interview at the PSC.
He was successful and the PSC appointed him and although he turned out to work he was never able to perform his functions.
The 28-year-old Hamandeo who was said to be the most qualified applicant for the position also served as the Senior Schools’ Welfare Officer (SSWO).
When he assumed duties he was not given an office and was forced to step down and return to his job as SSWO after some members of the Alliance for Change (AFC) in the region objected to his appointment.
One of those members has since been appointed DREO although he has not yet assumed office. The official said that although the position was left open, it was not advertised again.
Chairman of Region Two, Devanand Ramdatt told this newspaper that Hopkinson had handpicked six staff who are above retirement age with one being “as old as 70.”
Ramdatt had said in a release: “The qualification, experience and ability of these senior citizens to function efficiently and effectively is highly questionable and will compromise the quality of human resources in the Public Service.”
The press release had said too that the REO’s request was not in keeping with President David Granger’s recent comments on the age of persons serving the public.
In response, Hopkinson had told SN: “They are not senior citizens, they are persons who have got as many as 25 years of experience in their positions,” he added.
Ramdatt’s press release had said “The Regional Democratic Council noted a lack transparency in the recruitment process, in fact it is a breach of employment practice within the Public Service. The basics were not followed; no vacancy notice, no application, no shortlisting of suitable applicants and no interview was done.”
The press release added that Ramdatt has since written to the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, criticising “such employment practices” which are strongly opposed by the RDC of Pomeroon/Supenaam.
“Region Two has a high level of unemployment, many qualified young people, and graduates from the University of Guyana are seeking employment. This breach of employment practice points to the Government’s lack of interest in creating opportunities for young Guyanese,” the statement added.
However, contrary to what Ramdatt said, Hopkinson said that the vacancies were filled by the PSC and not by him.
