Region 2 contractors, residents protest REO’s office

Armed with placards, scores of persons, including contractors, on Friday protested in front of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), alleging that Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson is incompetent, inactive, and shows favouritism in the way contracts are awarded within the region.

Chanting, “REO must go! Rupert must go!” the protesters marched along the public road leading to the RDC building. Placards read “Please, Mr President, we cannot bear this anymore. Get rid of REO. From friends to foe, REO is determining

Region Two contractors protested on Friday in front of the RDC building

     who eat or who starve”.

Heading this protest was local contractor Prince Holder, who alleged that the REO was awarding contracts to his friends alone. One of the protesters, Vincent Collins, said the protest was provoked after contractors realised that allocation of contracts within the region is selective. He said the protest was not political but was aimed at protecting and safeguarding the people of the Essequibo Coast. He said that contractors within the region are being treated unfairly, and proper procurement procedures are not being followed. He noted that in one instance a contract was taken back from a contractor without a valid

explanation, and he declared that the region cannot afford this REO; thus he must

Protesters in front the RDC compound on Friday

go, since he is living at the expense of poor residents.But as this protest was ongoing, a group of REO supporters also staged a counter-protest. These counter-protesters chanted, “REO must stay!” “The contractors are not qualified!” One such protester, Diane Peters, said the REO is “doing a good job”. She said that most of the protesters lack knowledge of what was going on in the region. Other supporters of the REO said that ever since the REO assumed that duty in the region, there has been a transformation, especially with

Protesters pleading with President Granger to intervene

his beautification drive.

This newspaper was unable to reach the REO for a comment on the protesters’ allegations. (Indrawattie Natram)