RECENTLY appointed Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 6, Dr Veerasammy Ramayya, has denied reports that he had failed to give notice of his absence at his first statutory meeting, held in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) boardroom on Thursday.“What the chairman [David Armogan] is saying is a blatant lie. I had to go to the doctor yesterday morning; I was not feeling well. He [the chairman] knew about it. He called me two or three times. But when I went to the doctor, the test I had to do, I had to make sure the results were there, as they [the doctor] wanted to know what exactly was happening. So when I did call, it was about 13:30hrs, the meeting was already over. I had lunch and then went to a funeral. I don’t have to lie,” Dr Ramayya said as he removed an ice pack from his lower extremity to show this reporter.

Responding to a report carried in the Guyana Times of Friday, October 2, under the caption “Ramayya snubs Region 6 Council”, Dr Ramayya denied from his office within the Regional Democratic Council Complex at Vryman’s Erven in New Amsterdam that he had failed to attend a scheduled and properly called meeting without giving prior notice of absence.

“I did not snub from any meeting. That’s a lie they are pedalling to make the PPP look good and let the government look bad. I knew of the meeting. I worked on Wednesday. I had no intention of absconding from the meeting because of the PPP majority.

“No, I am not afraid of them. So what this newspaper is saying is untrue,” Ramayya contended.

While agreeing that his attendance was necessary, as it was his first meeting at the regional body, Ramayya emphasized that his absence was never intentional, as the visit to his doctors were of more importance than “coming to a meeting”.

“You mean to tell me (that) if I am dying I had to go to the meeting? I had to wait on the results of the blood test; it takes hours. I had to know why I was unwell,” he countered.

With respect to the issue of non-payment of contractors, it was reported that several contractors who were retained by the RDC to conduct projects within the region are still unpaid. However, the REO highlighted there were various degrees of corruption, which resulted in substandard work during the last Administration.

“Previously, contractors were paid by government and taxpayers’ money to do work in Black Bush Polder. No one can account for works done, no one inspected….I went through the entire Black Bush Polder, the works were all substandard…so I took all the contracts out of Black Bush, because they are all friends and political affiliates, and as such, I refuse to make any payment,” he disclosed.

Further, as Ramayya displayed several photographic exposures to support his decision, he noted that instructions were given to the relevant contractors to desist from spraying the grass in the canals, but they continued to do so.

“Although there is a Works Committee, I will inspect all works in this region, as this region comes under my control. All the substandard works will be brought to a halt,” Ramayya promised.
Highlighting another concern, which stated that he did not supply $300,000 to the Skeldon High School for their travel to Region 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) to participate in the JOF Haynes debating competition against St Ignatius Secondary, Ramayya said he was informed that the trip was cancelled, as the time line afforded to them to have the cheque prepared was too narrow. This, he said, in the presence of the DREO, Mr. Imran.

Referring to his attempt to design a septic tank at the Number 36 Primary School, the REO noted that he visited the learning institution in the presence of the Regional Engineer Mr. Roopesh, and observed that the students continued to use the primitive latrines, which were situated a long distance from the school. He said it can be discomforting for a child in moments of emergency, and he took immediate steps to have the situation rectified.
”Similar action was taken at Tain Primary, where there are also poor toilet facilities…,” he disclosed.

Addressing the issue of who is in control of the region, Ramayya said that while Armogan is an appointee of a political party, he (Ramayya) is an appointee of the Government of Guyana.

“He [Armogan] wants to execute party policies (PPP). The only person who can take me from here is our Honourable President”, he emphasised.