…file application claiming unfair dismissal on discriminatory grounds
Attorney-at-law Darren Wade has filed applications in the high Court on behalf of six of the seven Regional Executive Officers who were recently terminated by the Ministry of Local Government.
Wade filed applications on behalf of Randolph Storm (Region 1), Denis Jaikarran (Region 2), Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall, (Region 3), Ovid Morrison (Region 5), Kim Williams-Stephen (Region 6) and Orrin Gordon (Region 10). Wade is expected to make a similar application on behalf of Region 9 REO Carl Parker when the COVID-19 restrictions permit him to travel to Georgetown, a release by the APNU+AFC said.
The applications are seeking judgment for unfair dismissal on discriminatory and prejudicial grounds, violating the constitutional rights to freedom of political association guaranteed to every citizen.
On Monday six of the new REOs took up their positions. The new appointments were announced last Saturday by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.
Previous, Deputy Regional Executive Officer for Region One, Teka Bissessar, was appointed REO by the Minister, for the region. Devanand Ramdatt, who has a wealth of academic achievements to his name and held the positions of Assistant Director of Youth and former Regional Chairman of the region was appointed Region Two REO.
Region Three, Five, Six and Nine will be headed by Jagnarine Somwar, Genevieve Blackman, Narindra Persaud and Karl Singh respectively. Somwar has been serving the Government since 2004 and was also appointed Justice of the Peace and Commission of Affidavits by former President Bharrat Jagdeo. In addition to his work experience, his academic qualifications boast of several certificates.
Narindra Persaud, an educator for more than 20 years, previously served as a Regional Councillor for Region Four, and Manager of the Materials Management Unit, Ministry of Health. Blackman previously served as Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education (2012 – 2017), Chief Executive Officer for the Board of Industrial Training (2011), and Coordinator for the World Bank-funded HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control project at the Ministry of Labour, among other positions.
Karl Singh would have been the Regional Vice-Chairman for Region Nine (2015-2020) and will now be REO for the Region.
Meanwhile, the REOs for three regions have been retained from the previous APNU+AFC Administration. Pauline Lucas, Kerwin Ward and Mitzy Campbell will be continuing their tenure as REO for Regions Four, Seven and Eight, respectively. An REO for Region Ten has not yet been appointed, however, this is expected to be done soon. “We wish them well and we look forward to their profound administration of our Regions as we forge ahead to rebuild the Regional Development system in Guyana,” Minister Dharamlall stated
