Region Two Regional Vice Chairperson Nandranie Coonjah has been given a limit on the usage of the vehicle that was assigned to her.
This decision was conveyed through Regional Engineering Department personnel, who informed her driver that the instructions were passed by Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson.
Coonjah, also chairperson of the Regional Works Committee, is not permitted to use the region’s vehicle beyond 16:30h. On September 26, her driver was issued a letter from Regional Engineer Latchman Singh to park the vehicle assigned to Coonjah in a regional office compound by 16:30h each day. The letter was copied to the Personnel Department and the Transport Department. This newspaper was informed that after the driver received the letter, he informed Coonjah of his instructions.
To date, Coonjah has not been officially informed of this development. This newspaper was told that the driver has been complying with the instructions, as he is afraid of losing his job.
Region Two Regional VC, Nandranie Coonjah
Coonjah, in an invited comment, said she is disappointed that she, as a regional official, is being treated with no respect. She said that as chairperson of the Works Committee, she is required to inspect projects, and now that she has been limited, it is affecting her execution of her job.
She said the vehicle assigned to her is usually parked in the Johanna Cecelia Secondary School compound at night. To her knowledge, the school is a Government compound, and it’s closest to her home. Coonjah said the move is a very disrespectful one, and it aims to stymie development within the region.
She added that more fuel is now being used by the driver to drop her home then return to the region’s compound to park. She said also that because there is a time limit, she has to leave work early, which is affecting her carrying out her duties as the Regional Vice Chairperson.
In an invited comment, head of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Devanand Ramdatt, said the move is unacceptable, especially towards the Regional Vice Chairperson. Ramdatt said fuel for his vehicle was cut by the REO, hence he also is affected in carrying out his duties.
