— big on the agenda of new REOs

NEWLY-APPOINTED Regional Executive Officers (REOs) across Guyana, despite the pandemic, are invigorated to improve the shortfalls in regions, especially the areas of accountability, transparency, agriculture and equal access to education.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Local Government announced that, today, six new officials will be taking up leadership of different regions while four previous REOs of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) will retain their posts.

The Guyana Chronicle reached out to five of these REOs on Sunday who were eager to speak about their plans.

New REO of Region Two, Devanand Ramdatt, said that he has a good understanding of the issues which affect the rural region, two of which are transparency and accountability.

“There are quite a number of issues as it relates to accountability in this region. The house that the regional executive officer will have to move into, a number of assets were removed from that house. So, that shows the level of work that is required to bring this region to the highest level of accountability,” he said.

On the matter of transparency, he assured that no room will be left for “darkness” on certain matters as information will be made readily available to those who seek it and the public will not be left out of the process.

Ramdatt has a wealth of academic achievements to his name and has held the positions of assistant director of youth, regional accounting officer and former regional chairman of the region. He has also worked in the agriculture sector as a grading officer.

The area of agriculture, he pointed out, requires much interest as Region Two is predominantly an agriculture-base region. Ramdatt said that the rice, fisheries, dairy and more will be given the attention they deserve.

He will also work to ensure that there is team work between the Regional Council and the regional administration.

“For the past five years there was great disconnect and I’ve seen the evidence of the destruction that has created. My focus will be to ensure that we have the greatest possible participation of our people and key stakeholders in the development process,” he said.

COHESIVE APPROACH

Under his leadership, he promised that a farmer will be deemed just as important, and worthy of attention, as a regional chairman or anyone of official status.

“We are all equal because this development agenda is one that requires a cohesive approach,” he said.

To head Region Six as its REO from today is Narindra Persaud. He is an educator for over 20 years and previously served as a regional councillor for Region Four and manager of the Materials Management Unit at the Ministry of Health.

Persaud said he is eager to bring about development that has been lacking over the years in every possible area. One of these areas, he pin-pointed was the sugar industry.

He stated: “The people of Region Six have been at a great disadvantage in terms of sugar. Many people were put out of a job, so that’s a key area to look at. We have to work along with the Ministry of Agriculture to see how we will go ahead with it to ensure that all those people who were put on the breadline, who weren’t able to support their family, they will be able to do so now.”

He also plans to focus on transparency primarily in the management of finances. He said that this has not been done efficiently over the years and his aim is to restore confidence to the people.

IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

Meanwhile, newly-appointed REO of Region Nine, Karl Singh, will immediately tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and its spread in the region. Being so closely situated to the Brazil border, the region has been affected by illegal border crossing which had tripled the initial numbers there.

“The priority is to lessen the impact, makes sure that the entire region is educated [and that] they’re aware as to the preventative measures in safeguarding their people from COVID-19,” Singh said.

The new REO has several management certificates; has served as the regional vice-chairman for Region Nine (2015-2020) and the assistant REO from 2014-2015.

He also has his sights set on addressing the education issues in Region Nine, ensuring that the gap existent between the coast and the hinterland is further reduced.

“If you know Region Nine you would know that it’s the largest region and it’s very difficult for education officers to get to and from schools. That’s a priority and we have to find ways and means in seeing how best we can help students,” he said.

ICT EXPANSION

One avenue will be through the distribution of learning and teaching materials and the expansion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Apart from these, Singh said that he will also focus on the linking of areas such as the Deep South and South Pakaraimas with the town of Lethem and other communities. He said that Guyanese there should not feel excluded from the services which ought to be accessible to all, and roads must provide a solution.

I look forward to serving. I am a man from the Rupununi and elections came and went a few months ago, this is the result and we have to build the region, a stronger region. When I leave, whenever the time comes, people must be able to say ‘this man did all these things [and] he would have helped X amount of people in the region’,” Singh said.

Meanwhile, one of the REOs retained from the previous APNU+AFC Administration, Pauline Lucas, is responsible for Region Four. She told this newspaper that she plans to continue to operate in a professional manner in executing the directives from Central Government.

Some of areas she believes should receive immediate attention are the continued improvement of physical infrastructure; improvements on the public financing system; increased staff complement and training; and strict adherence to the procurement system.

Speaking to the latter, she said: “That is one of my key areas to ensure that we continue to spend the money that is entrusted in me in a prudent and efficient manner.”

Lucas said she also plans to work to ensure the overall physical outlook of the region through better roads, drainage and infrastructure. The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic will also take priority through the various health centres.

Also retained from the APNU+AFC is Mitzy Campbell, who will continue as REO of Region Eight. In the region, she will continue to push for the development of education, agriculture and sport.

She said that while works it the region have slowed because of COVID-19, this will pick up in the near future as there is much work to do. “We still won’t allow that to shut us down completely in terms of developmental projects,” she said.

Addressing the area of sport, Campbell said that this can be used to develop rounded young people and it assists in youth empowerment.