Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 03, 2018 Letters
Dear Editor,
The Ministry of Communities with direct responsibility for Local Government is failing to protect the constitutional rights of electors who voted at the last National and Regional elections on May 2015.
The Minister of Communities who is empowered constitutionally to ensure that conditions are conducive to enabled elected officials to serve and represent the people.
The minister who is also empowered to ensure that no public officials (REO) hinder elected officials from serving their constituents.
As such the current impasse that exits at the Regional Democratic Council Region Five should not have been tolerated by the Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan.
The non-intervention by Minister Bulkan to sanction the Regional Executive Officer, Ovid Morrison, is definitely because he is a member of the PNC/R and would not be sanctioned until there is political direction from the leader of the PNC, David Granger.
This suggestion can be concluded based on the President David Granger’s explanation on the ‘Broomes’ fiasco’ at the last press conference.
The practice of employing Regional Executive Officers in the Public Service is based on political affiliation and party loyalty, that contributed in undermining the effective functioning of a key level of Regional governance and as such this APNU/AFC government cannot survive.
The responsibilities of the Regional Executive Officer according to Public Service Act, is the chief administrative officer of the region. He/she manages the day -to-day operations and provides advice to the Regional Chairman.
With competence the REO carries out the instructions of the Regional Chairman to the extent that the Regional Administration does not violate the applicable laws rules or regulations.
The REO of Region Five is a known political hack who was planted by the APNU/AFC coalition government in Region Five to undermined the functions of the RDC.
The most recent violation by the REO was the illegal statutory meeting in the absence of the elected Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman, demanding that the RDC approve the illegal minutes of that meeting.
Under the Laws of Guyana Local Democratic Organs Act 28:09 section 23 (1) During any period when the chairman is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his office those functions shall be assumed and performed by the vice chairman.
In continuation of the Act 28:09 section 23(2) if the vice chairman for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office of chairman in accordance with section (1)the clerk shall call a meeting of the council to elect a councillor to perform those functions and the councillor so elected shall assume and perform those functions until such time as the chairman or vice chairman as the case may be, is able to act.
In electing a councillor to perform those functions the Local Democratic Organs Act 28:09 must be observed so it is stated in section 23(3) section 20 shall, in so far as it is applicable, apply to a meeting call under this section.
According to the act the important aspect of sections 19 and 20 is that the elected councillor must be invited with a publish notice of time and place of intended meeting and invitation must be serve at least three days before the meeting .
Based on the constitution requirements it is evident that the REO acted illegally in appointing a chairman for the RDC without adhering to the laws governing meetings in appointing councillor to be chairman for the RDC.
Minister Bulkan is very vocal when it comes to upholding constitutional laws and democracy but refuses to condemn this unconstitutional behaviour from the REO Ovid Morrison.
The people of Region Five are pleading with President David Granger and the new Commissioner of Police to intervene and ensure elected officials are allowed to represent and fulfilled their duties toward their people in a favourable environment.
This REO should be dismissed immediately for creating a situation of “political terrorism” at the Regional Democratic Council Region Five.
Regards,
Zamal Hussain
Councillors
Regional Democratic Council Region Six
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 29, 2024
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