Citing alleged lack of professionalism and heavy political involvement, newly sworn-in Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall, last night confirmed that the services of seven of the ten Regional Executive Officers (REO) have been terminated.
The REOs fired are Randolph Storm – Region 1, Dennis Jaikaran – Region 2, Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall – Region 3, Ovid Morrison – Region 5, Kim Williams-Stephen – Region 6, Carl Parker – Region 9, and Orrin Gordon – Region 10.
Dharamlall told Stabroek News that the officers were asked to immediately proceed on administrative leave and were informed of their termination of service yesterday.
He stated that upon assuming office it was found that these REOs failed to act with professionalism and impartiality while executing their duties. He said too that they failed to execute their duties to benefit the effective management of the regional authorities. It was also stated that these REOs practiced partisan politics in executing their duties.
The Minister said that despite the three other REOs – Pauline Lucas of Region Four, Mitzy Campbell of Region Eight, and Kerwin Ward of Region Seven – being appointed under the previous government, their situation was the opposite and the ministry had no objections to their conduct and performance.
According to Dharamlall, the three REOs showcased political maturity, performed their duties in a professional, competent and respectful manner, and have been able to manage the affairs of their respective regions fairly and effectively.
He also told Stabroek News they will be looking for persons who can function by being impartial, be effective and competent in their decision making, and at all times act professionally.
The new minister said that they will seek to fill the vacancies as soon as possible. When Stabroek News reached out to Williams-Stephen and Jaikaran last night, they terminated the phone calls upon hearing it was a reporter from this newspaper.
Parker when contacted on another matter told Stabroek News that he was unable to provide the information requested since he was in receipt of his termination letter and thus was no longer the REO.
Williams-Stephen upon her appointment in October 2016 had said she intended to bring a high level of efficiency, knowledge and competence to the post, while promising that greater emphasis will be placed on results-oriented service.
Williams-Stephen has 34 years of experience in the public service, 28 of which was spent at the Audit Office of Guyana in the capacity of Audit Manager (Ag) for Regions Five and Six.
Jaikaran had initially assumed the position of REO in Region Three upon the APNU+AFC taking up office in 2015. He was later moved to Region Two and Ferreira-Dougall was promoted to the position in the region after functioning as the Deputy REO. Their appointments were in 2018.
Parker, who was appointed as REO in 2015, functioned for a brief period as REO in Region 8. In 2018 he returned to office.
He was removed from the position in 2017 after being charged with sexual assault but reinstated by then Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan in March of 2018, after the case against him was dismissed.
Parker was subsequently appointed to serve as REO for Region Eight during the period. In 2019 he returned to Region Nine.
