Gov’t on path of “ethno-political purging”

..AFC says as Vincent Adams is fired for  no reason

Former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams was dismissed from his post on Monday by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government with no reason given. The news comes months after Dr. Adams was sent on immediate leave by the Administration and a cloud of doubt overshadowed whether he would be retained.

The letter of dismissal was dispatched by Permanent Secretary, Abena Moore as instructed by President Irfaan Ali. It came although Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo had told Adams that there was interest in relocating him to another position at a suitable Government agency.

In a press release on Monday, in response to the news, the Alliance For Change (AFC) said that the move is yet another testament that the current Administration is on a path of “ethno-political purging”.

“Dr. Adams is, without question, the most qualified Environmental Engineer and Petroleum Engineer in the country, who returned after an outstanding career of fine service in the United States to serve the people of Guyana. During his career in the United States, Dr. Adams worked at the highest levels of Government and enjoyed enviable professional recognition the world over. There can be no legitimate explanation for Dr. Adams’ dismissal as, despite his political views, he served objectively and with distinction. The words of President Ali, that he would be offered a position to which he is eminently qualified have proven hollow and false. Unfortunately, if this is the leadership that Guyana has to offer, then the nation will undoubtedly suffer. There is a distinct absence of dignity and decorum and in its place unbridled crassness, pettiness, vindictiveness and small-mindedness which has become the principal characteristic of the Ali regime as it carries out a campaign of ethno-political purging of mammoth proportions,” the Party stated.

Adams was recruited by the APNU+AFC administration in 2018. An energy expert and scientist, Adams was appointed Executive Director of the EPA on October 1, 2018. Dr. Adams possesses over 40 years of experience in both the public and private sectors in environmental, petroleum, and geological engineering, and geohydrology, as well as Executive leadership and management. He has a PhD in Environmental Engineering, is a PhD Candidate in Petroleum and Geological Engineering, MS in Petroleum and Geological Engineering, MS in Geohydrology, BS in Civil/Public Health Engineering, and Diploma in Executive Leadership and Management from MIT Sloan School of Business.

Dr. Adams acquired 30 years of service in the US Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Management including 10 years as a member of the Senior Executive Service Corps (highest ranking civilians equivalent to the military Generals running the daily operations of Government) heading Offices in both Headquarters and the Field. He previously worked as one of 11 engineers who worked with the then Guyana Water Authority as a Well Drilling Engineer from 1972-1977, where he managed and supervised drilling crews and drilling activities, designing and drilling wells up to 2,400 ft. deep. His duties include reviewing, preparing and recommending to the Board of Directors new or modified environmental policies, laws, regulations and standards for the fulfillment of EPA’s statutory mandate, among others.