By Ravin Singh

GUYANA Water Inc (GWI) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Richard Van-West Charles has described media reports against him for alleged wrongdoings as “distractions.”The GWI boss said he will not allow the negative publicity to affect the delivery of his work.
The CEO made his position known during an interview before the start of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) 59th anniversary celebration at Congress Place, Sophia, on Wednesday.
“Honestly, I’m not going to be distracted by voices in the press. I’m focused on really delivering a service to the population,” Dr Charles said when asked about reports of him acting unprofessionally in his capacity as CEO.
According to a Stabroek News report on September 27, 2016, the GWI board has launched an investigation into the conduct of Dr Charles following serious complaints by staff.
The Stabroek News article further stated that “Senior staff members of GWI have tirelessly complained about the actions of the CEO, including him purportedly superseding the authority of various department heads and in one case even renaming a department without informing the person who was in charge of it.”
Further, Chairman of the Board Nigel Hinds also disclosed that, “There is the issue of abuse of authority and it still continues… [The] majority of GWI senior staff members have made some very serious complaints against the CEO.”
But, according to the CEO, he has an open-door policy whereby people can attest to the fact that staff at all levels are able to communicate with him.
“I have an open door. Anybody will tell you that my staff at all levels can come and speak to me. They can stop me [because] that’s the approach I’ve had in my years of working. One of the things that I try to ensure is that the workers’ rights are respected,” he said.
The CEO went on to explain that in many instances, many workers were disrespected. One example, he pointed out, was the fact that workers are offered a shift premium allowance of G$5.
RIDICULOUS
“It is totally ridiculous,” he said, adding that these are issues which he is working to address and will not be distracted by voices in the press.
Not too long ago, the GWI board terminated the employment of Debt Recovery Manager Lear Goring, after it was discovered that he was not qualified for that position.
A convicted drug felon, Goring is said to be a close friend of Dr Van-West Charles, which some believed may have led to him being handed the position which was never advertised.
Additionally, Dr Van-West Charles is said to have also hired another close friend, James King, who serves as deputy chief security officer without this post being advertised.
As recent as Wednesday, unconfirmed reports emerged which suggest that Hinds is likely to resign due to these existing circumstances and grievances with the CEO.
That same day, Dr Van-West Charles appeared in a published advertisement where managers and staff of GWI endorsed him and expressed support for his contributions to the company thus far.
And in relation to the comments made in the press about him, Dr Van-West-Charles believes that these “voices in the press” are just distractions which he will not allow to hinder his work.
He went on to defend his appointment as CEO, stating that “I come with an experience of having worked nationally and internationally.”
According to the CEO, change always brings some “storming and forming.”
He said that it takes time, since not everybody is going to hold on to the trapeze and go with the change right away. He noted this change is not in the interest of management or the board, but change which is designed to benefit the population.
And despite the fact that not everyone will subscribe to this change, the GWI boss said that what he is focused on is delivering service to the population.
“I’m focused on really delivering a service to the population,” he said, adding that one of the priorities for him is the delivery of quality water and intensifying efforts to increase access.
He noted that in another two weeks, residents of Sophia and those is various communities on the Essequibo Coast can expect increased access to water, while efforts are also being made to distribute filters to schools in riverine communities.