Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya, the Coordinator for the Region Six Rapid Response Taskforce, has tendered his resignation to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, effective at the end of this month. In a candid interview with Kaieteur News, Dr. Ramayya explained his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, expressing that he could no longer compromise his principles in the face of what he described as the worst corruption in the history of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government.
He also revealed that his growing frustration stemmed from the treatment he received at the regional level and the pressure he faced over his vocal criticisms. Despite working tirelessly, seven days a week, Dr. Ramayya was reportedly told he wasn’t fulfilling his duties. This came as a surprise to him, as he felt that his efforts were directed at addressing key issues impacting local communities.
“I’m not blaming the President, but at the RDC (Regional Democratic Council) level, I was told I wasn’t doing my job properly,” Ramayya told Kaieteur News. “I have a programme where I highlight the flaws in hospitals, roads, and even the police force. My last episode aired on January 29, 2025. I point out problems like the state of hospitals, under-equipped facilities, and issues like paying for MRI scans, which used to be covered by the government but now burden the patients.”
Dr. Ramayya emphasised that his intention was not to condemn the government, but to point out areas for improvement. Yet, this stance earned him the ire of some government officials. One of the most significant moments came when Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo called him personally to express his displeasure over Dr. Ramayya’s criticisms.
“He said he heard I was bad-mouthing the government, and that no one should be criticizing anyone,” Dr. Ramayya recalled. “But I’m not the kind of person who will just stay silent when things are wrong. My job here is to help people, particularly the poor. I’ve been doing this for over 25 years, and I stand for the working class. If things are going wrong, I will speak out.”
The resignation marks the second time Dr. Ramayya has walked away from a government position. In 2021, he resigned from the same taskforce, citing corruption in the distribution of flood relief funds as the main issue. At the time, rumours circulated that he had begged to return to his post, but Dr. Ramayya clarified that it was President Irfaan Ali who had reached out to him directly.
This time, however, Dr. Ramayya insists that his decision is final. His resignation was submitted over a week ago, and as of now, he has received no calls from government officials attempting to convince him to stay. “I told them from the very beginning that the corruption during the previous 23 years of government was nothing compared to what I’ve seen over the past two years. It’s worse now,” he stated firmly.
Dr. Ramayya also pointed out that his concerns about corruption were not limited to the current administration. During his tenure under the coalition government, he had raised similar alarms about corruption in the healthcare system and other government agencies, only to be ignored. “I resigned then because people weren’t getting the drugs they needed at the hospital,” he said. “I can’t stand for nonsense. I don’t need a government job to survive; I could go back overseas and live comfortably.”
In a final blow to his already strained relationship with the government, Dr. Ramayya revealed that since November, staff members under his charge— including his driver and secretary— had not been paid. “I was there last week, and they still hadn’t received their pay. They even owe me money for my expenses,” he said.
Dr. Ramayya expressed that he would prefer to resign now, before the election season intensifies, to avoid being caught up in any potential political fallout. “I’d rather walk away now than stay and risk doing things that would harm them later on,” he added.
This marks the end of Dr. Ramayya’s tenure with the Region Six Rapid Response Taskforce, and he has made it clear that there is no going back.
