LOCAL Government and Regional Development Minister, Norman Whittaker yesterday expressed his displeasure at the just concluded protest against the recent appointment of the overseer of the Industry/Plaisance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

Speaking at a press conference at the LGRD Ministry boardroom in Kingston, Georgetown, Minister Whittaker said standard procedure was followed in making that appointment, in that the position was advertised and a panel of judges interviewed the candidates that applied for the job.

He said the panel of judges included a representative each from the NDC and the Regional Democratic Council, and the Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Ministry.

The minister said the panel looked at both academic and professional qualifications and experience of the candidates; and in this case, the successful young male candidate possessed five Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) passes; was computer literate, because he presented certificates in computerized accounting; and also graduated from the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education, majoring in Industrial Relations and Management.

Moreover, he has worked before in various positions, including those of Legal Clerk, Customs Clerk, and was a Sales and Marketing Representative, so he has quite a wide range of experience, the Minister said.

Minister Whittaker reiterated that in terms of academics and work experience, the selected candidate was an ideal person for the job.
However, this publication was reliably informed that the successful candidate has declined the job as a result of the orchestrated protest for his removal and the appointment of a certain other candidate.

The Local Government Minister also said that the candidate the protesters were rooting for did not meet the academic or professional criterion for the job, as she was unable to acquire the required pass grades at CXC.

Minister Whittaker said that having seen the article based on the protest for the removal of the said overseer, he reviewed all policies and requirements needed for the job. He pointed out that neither he nor the panel could find a single consideration to adversely affect appointment of the overseer.

He said he was informed that the unsuccessful candidate was the person whom the protesters wanted to have the job, and that person may have been responsible for orchestrating the protest.

Minister Whittaker said the protesters were ill-informed and the LGRD Ministry can make the requirements and polices available for viewing by request.

He concluded that new employees benefit from the ministry’s policies which see Senior Regional Development Officers (SRDOs) and District Development Officers (DDOs) working with the new employees as training provided when individuals are appointed.

(By Savitri Laikram)