With no explanation offered, the Ministry of Public Works last Friday terminated the services of its Chief Works Officer Geoffrey Vaughn, who has been working at the Ministry for the past 15 years.
Vaughn today confirmed to this newspaper that his services had been terminated with effect from March 12th.
He, however told Stabroek News that the decision to terminate his services was unclear to him as he noted that no explanation was offered.
Vaughn, a civil engineer by profession, has worked in the ministry as the Chief River and Sea Defence Officer, a Projects Manager and acted as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry. His contract was due to come to an end on April 30, 2022.
In a letter seen by this newspaper and signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Vladim Persaud, Vaughn was informed that “under Clause 7 (a) of your contract … the Ministry no longer wishes to continue your employment contract, thereby making your effective date of termination 12, March, 2021.”
Vaughn noted that while he was disappointed to learn that his service has been terminated, he does not want to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the termination.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill today said that in the clause there is room for termination of service by either the employee or employer. Edghill said he did not wish to further comment on the matter.
Vaughn was further instructed by Persaud to provide a detailed handover of all projects he has been involved in to the “current Coordinator of Work Services Group (AG).
He was also instructed by the Ministry’s PS to “return any property and records of the Government of Guyana which maybe in your custody as soon as possible.”