PERMANENT Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Collin Croal has reported that the recently held retreat, involving Regional Executive Officers (REOs) and Deputy Regional Executive Officers (DREOs) was a complete success.

He said one of the main recommendations from it is that the duration be extended.
Addressing the media, last Monday, at a media briefing in the ministry, Kingston, Georgetown boardroom, Croal said the two and a half days programme in Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne), which began on May 31 and ended on June 2, was very beneficial to the participants.
He said, within that time, they were able to complete the packed agenda and the REOs and DREOs recommended that the next retreat be longer.
Giving an overview of what had transpired, Croal said the REOs and DREOs of each region was able to make a presentation on a number of sectoral issues facing them and the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs).
He said, in those presentations, it was explained how they are managing the resources allocated under their portfolios and the ways in which the ministry and Government can, together, address the issues, particularly those facing them on an everyday basis.
Croal said, on the second day, after the presentations, the sectoral issues identified, for example health, education etc. were discussed.

Cabinet Ministers
“We are grateful that we would have been blessed with the presence, on Saturday, of a number of Cabinet Ministers who also walked with their technical teams and gave the REOs and DREOs, an opportunity to interact with the sectoral minister as well raise their other concerns and issues,” he stated.
Croal said, as a result, they were able to go through the presentations item by item.
He acknowledged that health and education are the main two of the five programmes within the regional system as their delivery are important to ensure that the lives of citizens are much more comfortable.
Croal said the presence of staff of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, as well as the Minister, Ms. Jennifer Webster and Minister within the Finance Ministry, Bishop Juan Edghill helped deal with a number of issues pertaining to administrative and financial matters.
“We were grateful for the interaction as we were able to resolve regional issues coming from that session,” he confirmed.
Croal said, on Sunday, matters regarding the Public Accounts Committee were with dealt and they analysed the Auditor General’s reports.
The gathering benefitted, too, from the presence of the Adviser on Governance, Ms. Gail Teixeira as well as the Adviser on Empowerment, Mr. Odinga Lumumba, both from the Office of the President.
Croal said Cabinet is very concerned with allegations and, as Permanent Secretary, being the head of REOs and DREOs; he was pleased to make an effort to respond to the situations.
He said the forum was blessed with the attendance of President Donald Ramotar, who sat and talked with the participants and gave them insights into Government policies.
Croal said the REOs and DREOs were advised to go into the field and have discourse with residents in a timely manner.
At the conclusion, it was agreed to have an annual retreat of REOs and DREOs.