Dear Editor,
I VIEW with profound concern an issue that is presently making its rounds on Social Media and casting damaging aspersions on the recently-appointed District Development Officer (DDO) of the Karasabai Sub-District, Mr. Marlon Edwards.

That this issue has taken on a political slant is of no surprise to me, but is outside of my mandate as Regional Executive Officer. I will, therefore, confine my response to the administrative aspect of it, even though an attempt was made to drag me in politically.
I was in Georgetown on Tuesday, 2019-03-26, when I was forwarded a Whatsapp message of a post under the name of Nigel Dharamlall, accusing the DDO of the offence.

Having no knowledge of the issue, I called asking the Assistant REO, Ms. Althea Fitzpatrick, to travel to Karasabai the next day, Wednesday, March 27, 2019, to investigate and report. I received a report on Wednesday March 27, 2019, which points to the fact that the money was indeed withheld from the Community Health Worker (CHW) and placed in the safe at the RDC Office in Karasabai. The DDO’s intention was to assist another employee who, too, did not receive her salaries for a protracted period.

While the practice is not correct, he did seek concurrence with the CHW, who agreed initially, but back-tracked when she related what transpired to residents in the village. At no time did he assert that the REO instructed him to do what he did.
It is rather unfortunate that the matter is being treated as a political issue to score cheap political points. This matter is an administrative issue, and should have been brought to the attention of the Regional Administration first.

I have since met with the DDO and advised him on what is acceptable and what is not. I was assured, and am convinced that the DDO genuinely wanted to help a worker who is in dire need, and the Officer has vowed to never let this occur again.
I am, therefore, calling on all to be more responsible when making posts on Social Media. Seek to ascertain the facts before commenting. It is the practice in this Region to malign those who do not find favour in certain circles, while those connected to the circles are allowed to roam free.

One such incident occurred in 2013. When I assumed office as REO in July 2015, three teachers from Rewa approached me with the complaint that the then DDO of Annai, now Regional Vice-Chairman, spent out their Remote Area Incentive in 2013, and that repeated attempts by them to have the matter resolved were being stymied by the then REO, Ms. Claire Singh.

I investigated the matter, and the DDO, who was then tipped to be Vice-Chairman, was called in and he admitted that he did not pay the teachers. Since the DDO was tipped for political office, I sought the advice of my minister.

The advice I got at that time was to allow him to repay the money, which was done. No one made mention of that on Social Media. As far as the Regional Administration is concerned in the present case, it was a matter of over-exuberance on the part of the DDO. We are quite confident that with time, the DDO will mature into a fine officer.

Regards
Carl Parker
Regional Executive Officer