Impasse in Region 3 needs to end for the good of the citizens

Dear Editor,
Kindly permit me a space in your daily newspaper to respond finally to the issue captioned ‘The real story behind the Region 3 Regional Democratic Walkout’ published in the letter column of the Kaieteur News, dated September 10, 2016.
Firstly, I wish to state that the writer is fictitious, uncouth, wicked and naïve in his writings. He should be bold enough to put his name so that he could be identified and should not write as a concerned citizen or a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor. No PPP Councillor would write such a baseless article.
Secondly, the Regional Executive Officer (REO) is the Clerk of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and by law he is mandated to give pertinent information as requested by the Council. At the July 2016 meeting of the RDC, he was mandated to request from the Business Minister, a copy of the report on a survey which he had reported at a subsequent meeting which was done by the Business Ministry.
Please note that at no time was any report sent to the RDC from the Business Minister as was stated by the malicious writer.
Thirdly, the REO when asked to respond to the issue under “matters arising” pertaining to the letter to the Business Minister, requesting a copy of the report as was stated in a previous meeting, he stood up and said that he had nothing to say since a perpetrator was on the television the night before speaking about the issue. I subsequently asked the REO to respond to the specific issue that was before the Council. He again mentioned that he had nothing to say then he picked up his books and walked brazenly to the leader of the APNU/AFC Councillors and told her to leave the meeting with her team. He then went to the Heads of Department who were seated at the back of the room and instructed them to leave also.
According to Public Service rules, the REO is the head public servant inside of any region and should not take political sides when dealing with issues inside of any region.
Mr Denis Jaikarran has been practicing political biasness since his appointment as the REO of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), on October 1, 2015. He would have openly said to me that he is not here to work with the Regional Chairman of Region Three and had also instructed all Heads of departments to stay away from the Chairman’s monthly meetings, and for them not to submit any reports to the Regional Chairman.
The Government is promoting social cohesion and the REO is not propagating this at the administrative level of the region. He continues to carry out the duties and function of the Chairman without his knowledge. Many letters have been written to the President, Minister of State and the Communities Minister on all the issues affecting the Regional Chairman.
To date, all the promises made by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan to visit the region and to deal with the issues have proven futile.
I am publicly appealing to the Honourable President of Guyana, Mr David Granger to make an early intervention into this matter so that Region Three can move forward for the betterment of all its citizens.
I must bring to the attention of the public that this month is designated ‘Education Month’ and the Regional Chairman is not aware of the activities planned for the region, since the Heads of Department are afraid of the REO and hence, no reports have been forthcoming from them.
All Heads of Departments are mandated by the Local Government Act, Chapter 28:09, to report to the Regional Chairman so that policy issues can be addressed in a timely manner. This is not happening in Region Three but is happening in other regions in Guyana.
Is this the person the writer compares to God, who is denying the Regional Chairman from his roles and responsibilities as mandated by Region Three?
Fourthly, the writer stated that if the clerk leaves the meeting, there should be no official meeting. I wish to tell the fictitious writer that he knows nothing about conducting a meeting. When the Clerk/Secretary is unavoidable absent from the meeting for some reason or the other, the meeting can decide to continue as long as there is a quorum. The writer should equip himself with the necessary knowledge before he attempts to write on issues he is ignorant about.
Fifthly, The REO never asked to leave the meeting as the writer stated. He left in a haste saying “I have nothing to report on, to anyone”.
In closing, I wish to state that everything that was mentioned, I have supporting evidence to substantiate. As the Regional Chairman for three consecutive terms, I am willing to work in the best interest of all the citizens of Region Three and the country at large, but, Mr Denis Jaikarran is not allowing me to fulfil my obligations.

Julius Oliver Faerber
Regional Chairman
Region Three