THE Regional Chairperson of A partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Jevaughn Stephens, has resigned his post on the Regional Democratic Council with immediate effect.His letter of resignation was read by the Regional Chairman David Armogan during the statutory meeting on Thursday. Reading aloud the letter , Armogan said, “Mr Chairman, I hereby tender my resignation with immediate effect from the Council. My resignation is based on my appointment to a different office of service. I will look forward to continue working with the council in another capacity.”
Subsequently, Mr Budassie Poonai Deputy Regional Executive Officer, acting as Clerk of the Council, declared Stephens’s seat vacant. Last September, Stephens was appointed Director of Health Services in Region 6, and has opted to resign due to a conflict of interest. However, during the statutory meeting, the People’s Progressive Party councillors raised the issue of Stephens’s qualifications for the post. The PPP said in the past, the position was held by a practising physician. “At least one has to be qualified as a doctor. We are not questioning the appointment but, the procedure and qualifications . It’s a break in the precedent,” argued Armogan. Further, it was suggested that Stephens’s designation should have been chief executive officer or manager , as it reflects an administrative position.