Region 2 gets new DREO – assumes duty with no office

… AFC leaders against appointment

By: Indrawattie Natram

Haimraj Hamandeo, former Senior Welfare Officer and physiologist, has been appointed by the Public Service Commission as the new Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) for Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) but even as he assumed duties, members of the coalition government have prevented him from taking up his position.
Hamandeo has replaced Sunil Singh who was transferred from Region Two to another region. Hamandeo has a BSc in psychology and a Master of Arts degree.
In February, the Public Service Commission had written to Region Two Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson for the filling of the vacancy. In that letter it stated that approval was given via the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Presidency Department of the

Public Service for the creation of the vacancy. It was advised for the position to be advertised.
After the vacancy was advertised, Hamandeo, 28, had applied, was interviewed and was the most qualified applicant, hence he was chosen for the position. Hamandeo has assumed duty, but to date there is no office or orientation given to him since there was an objection to his appointment by Alliance For Change (AFC) members in Region Two.
At the recent statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on August 9, 2016, Region Two Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt informed the house that the Region has a new officer but he has not been oriented by REO Hopkinson. According to Ramdatt, Hamandeo was appointed because of his qualifications and according to his assumption letter he is on one year probationary period. That letter was signed by Personnel from the Public Service Commission.
However coalition Councillor and AFC Chairman Naithram and Secretary for AFC, Karan Chand, spoke out about the appointment. In their letters addressed to Ministers of Government, they stated that the new DREO Haimraj Hamandeo is 28 years of age and does not have the requisite experience for the position. They further explained that the job specifications stipulate that the DREO must have, “at least 15 years of experience in the Public Sector, at least five years of which must be at a senior management level.” They stated that there is no way a 28-year-old could have fulfilled these requirements.
However, several RDC councillors spoke out about the AFC leaders trying to block the DREO from entering his office. People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillors Showkat Ali and Arnold Adams said Hamandeo was appointed through the right procedures by a Commission that is highly recognised in the Government. They also noted that the Public Service Commission is an independent body and makes decisions for itself.
In responding, REO Hopkinson said that he was on leave when the appointment was made. He said that when he returned he was told about the new DREO and said however, the Ministries of the Presidency and Communities are unaware of such an appointment. Hopkinson said he works according to instructions from relevant authorities and ministers, and he has not yet received such orders.