Dear Editor,
I humbly crave your permission to have some space in your newspaper as I firmly believe that the efforts of Region Eight’s Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rafel Downes needs the highest commendation.
I sought to highlight the numerous good deeds that he continues to do in what many have regarded as the most challenging administrative region in Guyana. While Downes evidently has some shortcomings, he continues to do a splendid job at executing his mandate as the accounting officer for the people of Region Right thus generating significant admiration and best wishes.
The REO continues to keep abreast with the many challenges faced by residents within his Region thus he has implemented a number of aggressive avenues to confront these challenges. His continued efforts in implementing a number of creative and innovative changes to the Region will certainly bring about ease, with his efforts in ensuring that residents in both subsection one and two are less adversely affected by the increased challenges and difficulties over the past few years.
Despite Region Eight being a gold and diamond mining community, it is evident that with the drop of gold and diamond prices and the fact that there continues to be a rise in unemployment, there is an urgent need for more projects and programmes geared particularly bringing about economic relief.
As such, the economic situations of many are vulnerable thus resulting in increased social ills and challenges. Therefore, the efforts by REO Downes should be highly commended as he has done, and continues to do, a remarkable job.
While the Region’s main source of economic development comes from gold and diamond mining, it’s important to note that they are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in prices. Therefore, increases in prices for these will tend to lead to increased earnings aided with investments made by other individuals in a number of areas.
As such, with a number of new innovative measures being implemented by the REO, it’s evident that the residents of Region Eight will certainly see an economic boost as his continued efforts should be and are being highly praised for his tireless contributions.
Therefore, the Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan along with his Permanent Secretary, Emil McGarrel should also take hats off for ensuring the appointment of Rafel Downes. It’s my sincere wish that the Ministry will recognise his efforts while using them as a model so that other region can emulate his brave and hardworking efforts.
In closing, I would like to publicly thank Rafel Downes for his sterling contributions thus far to uplift Region Eight. His approach: putting political affiliation aside thus focusing on development instead of politics is highly commendable. It’s no secret that there is still much more work that needs to be done while the REO certainly is doing his utmost best, which is an indication that he is sincere and determined in his efforts to be a servant to the people of Region Eight.
I join with others in thanking him for his service and to wish him continued success in the face of evident adversity.
Sincerely,
Marilyn De Costa
