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Release. The Local Democratic Organs Act Chapter 28:09 is the law that governs the Regional Democratic Councils of our beloved nation. It makes it clear that the Regional Democratic Council, which is headed by the elected Regional Chairman, is the supreme authority in the Region. The Regional Executive Officer is Clerk to, and servant of the Council and must implement the decisions of the Council. Unfortunately, the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development and by extension the Government misleads the REO and gives him instructions in total violation of the Rule of Law.
We the elected Council of Region #4 calls on the Minister and Government to cease their political interference in the administration of the Region and create an environment which allows the Regional Democratic Council, its Chairman and Vice-Chairman who have been elected by the people of Region #4 to manage the affairs of Region #4 as mandated by the people of Region #4.
The illegal actions of the imposed PPP/C political Regional Executive Officer, Donald Gajraj, in the Demerara/Mahaica Region (Region #4) are a clear violation of the Laws of Guyana. Despite being a mere servant to the Council, Gajraj has been operating as a puppet of the Minister and the PPP/C. He blatantly ignores the elected representatives of the people and operates as a political enforcer for the Minister and the PPP/C.
It is unacceptable and unlawful for Mr. Gajraj to be able to continue his egregious behavior, especially given that Region #4 is governed by the APNU+AFC which won Region #4 and is the legitimate representative of the people of Region #4. Clearly, the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development and the PPP/C are seeking to grab power through the back door which is a clear indication that the Minister and the PPP/C do not believe in local democracy and the Rule of Law. Gajraj’s refusal to carry out the instructions of the elected council and his recent display of thuggery, lack of civility and disrespect towards the elected Chairman, Mr. Daniel Seeram is the most recent manifestation of their political power grab and disregard for local democracy.
The people of this Region deserve better than a political lackey who is more interested in furthering the agenda of his political masters than in serving the people. It is time for Gajraj to resign or be removed and allow for someone who is committed to upholding the spirit of our constitution, promotes local democracy and is disposed to managing the Region in a way that allows it to function in the interest of the people of Region #4. Gajraj must go.
Despite numerous unanimous and majority decisions made by the council, Mr. Gajraj, in his capacity as Clerk of Council and Regional Executive Officer, has failed to implement any of them. His blatant disregard for the Council which represents the people is an affront to democracy and an insult to the very institution he has been appointed to serve. It is unacceptable that someone entrusted with such an important responsibility can so willfully and unapologetically neglect his duties and undermine the authority of the elected council. The decisions yet to be actioned are:
- To provide the Works committee, a standing committee of the RDC, with copies of signed contracts, bills of quantity, status report on projects and access to the Regional Engineer to update the committee. This situation is teemed with potential for corruption and the waste of the resources of our Region.
- To ensure he is present at all RDC meetings and where unable, a competent representative able and capable to provide updates to the council must attend. Such actions inhibit the work of the Region and are disrespectful to the people of the Region.
- To ensure that Heads of Programmes submit monthly reports to the RDC Council meetings. To date no report from any Heads of Programme was received. This is both a manifestation of incompetence and results in inefficiencies.
- To stop using his office to facilitate the payment of contractors and ensure the Sub-Treasury functions effectively without interference from him. Another action that teems with potential for corruption.
- To respect and allow staff members of the Regional Democratic Council to function without fear and political directives. This undermines the confidence of the workers and destroys the morale of the workforce.
- To ensure the Regional Administrative Committee meetings are facilitated.
Immediate action must be taken to hold Mr. Gajraj accountable for his inaction, infractions and to ensure that the decisions made by the council are implemented without further delay. The people of this region deserve better than a politically partisan public servant who refuses to carry out the mandates of the elected officials.
In addition to the above, on Wednesday 22nd February 2023, Guyana bore witness to an unforgivable and detestable attack on the highest elected regional official during the Region #4 Regional Flag Raising ceremony held on the premises of the Regional Democratic Council. The REO”s physical abuse of the Regional Chairman was a disgraceful act and unbecoming of a senior government official. It was an egregious attack on democracy, and a disgraceful act of disrespect and must be condemned by all and be met with swift and decisive corrective action.
As Regional Chairman, Mr. Daniel Seeram concluded his opening remarks during the ceremony; he expressed his desire for love, unity, and togetherness. In an effort to ensure equal representation, he invited Hon. Catharine Hughes, MP, to give brief remarks. Unfortunately, chaos erupted when REO Gajraj aggressively and arrogantly approached Chairman Seeram and snatched the microphone out of his hand, violating the sanctity of the ceremony. This brazen assault on the Regional Chairman was caught on video, which has since gone viral on social media. A report on this assault was made to the police.
Donald Gajraj is a political crony appointed by the Government, and his reprehensible actions reflect the political behavior of those in power. The Government must now take decisive action to reprimand and remove Gajraj from his position. Keeping him will only serve to reaffirm that the much-touted ‘One Guyana’ mantra is nothing more than a meaningless slogan and a farce devoid of any true substance. The people of Guyana demand and deserve better than this. It is our collective duty to uphold the principles of democracy and ensure that elected officials are treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Failure to do so would be a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the will of the people.
