Region 2 REO accused of hiring geriatric PNC supporters

… Chairman calls for youth employment

Tension is rising in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), with officials crying foul over attempts by a top regional official to fill several vacant positions with the elderly.

According to Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, the regiona

l administration has vacancies for an Administrative Officer, Mechanical Superintendent, Superintendent of Works, Clerk of Works, Checker and Administrative Assistant.

Ramdatt revealed in a statement that Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson, sent a memorandum dated January 17, 2017 to the Ministry of the Presidency. In the memorandum, Ramdatt stated that Hopkinson requested approval to hire “senior citizens” for the positions. The Chairman claimed that the nominees are “known People’s National Congress supporters.”

Ramdatt claimed that the nominees for Administrative Officer and Checker are 58 years old, while the Mechanical Superintendent nominee is 63; Superintendent of Works is 61; and Clerk of Works is 60. While he did not have the age of the Administrative Assistant nominee, Ramdatt said that he was also a senior citizen.

“The Regional Democratic Council of Region Two totally rejects the efforts to employ retirees to fill fabricated positions within the regional administration. The qualification, experience and ability of these senior citizens to function efficiently and effectively is highly questionable and will compromise the quality of human resource in the public service.”

“The Regional Democratic Council observed with keen interest the President’s recent comments on the age of persons serving the public, in this case it is the exact opposite, most of the positions require rigorous field visits which will be a challenge for these elders.”

Ramdatt said he had written Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, criticising the approach to such employment practices. According to the Regional Chairman, even the basics – vacancy notice, application perusal, shortlisting of suitable applicants and interviews – were not done.

“In fact it is a breach of employment practice within the Public Service. At a Statutory Meetings of the Regional Democratic Council, Councillors unanimously condemned this action against the Coalition Councillor,” he said.

He noted that Region Two has a high level of unemployment, pointing that many qualified young people and graduates from the University of Guyana are seeking employment. According to the Chairman, this breach of employment practice points to the Government’s lack of interest in creating opportunities for young Guyanese.”

“Only in July of 2016; a qualified young Guyanese was appointed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to be Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), Region Two. REO Hopkinson was part of that interview panel that recommended the young man for the post of Deputy Regional Executive Officer. When the DREO reported for duties after being instructed by the PSC he was never given access to his office by Hopkinson,” Ramdatt alleged.

He stated that the Region Two Co-op Department is presently not in operation because a qualified Co-op Officer, a graduate from the University of Guyana cannot be provided with office space.

“The Regional Democratic Council calls on the Minister of Communities and Ministry of the Presidency not to proceed with the employment of the six retirees and to pursue the appointment of the DREO as recommended by the Public Service Commission in July of 2016.”

The Government recently announced a policy change, whereby senior citizens in the public service would have to give way to youth. Justice Cecil Kennard’s age was cited as a factor when President David Granger recently asked him to vacate his position as chair of the Police Complaints Authority.