RHO accused of nepotism

A WELL-PLACED source accused Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Gregory Harris of
nepotism.
The accusation is that Dr Harris who in charge of the health sector in Upper Demerara/ Berbice
(Region Ten), is influencing contracts worth millions of dollars to a family member according to
a person with knowledge of the transaction and close to the RHO’s secretariat.
Since his recent appointment as RHO following the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)
coalition triumph at the March 2020 polls, Harris has bullied his way in getting how procurement
is pursued and who gets contracts, contrary to existing regulations.
“What is very sad is that the RHO went ahead and made these purchases knowing fully well that
they were excessive and flouted the procurement regulations. It is a shame that this
administration sought to elevate this doctor and instead of doing what is expected from
professional persons he is already enriching himself, this cannot (continue to) happen,” a senior
regional source disclosed.
Harris, it was claimed, personally carried invoices to the Regional Tender Board (RTB) and
prevailed upon them after explaining that the items were needed urgently to help combat the out-
of-control COVID-19 spread in the Region.
RTB members became concerned when, within days, Harris returned with another invoice, 50
percent larger than the first, to seek expeditious approval with a similar COVID-19 explanation.
According to the irate source, the matter took a very worrying turn because of the RHO’s “willy
nilly” justification of spending from the health department’s budgetary allocations and awarding
contracts to relatives.

“Can you imagine this nonsense? Can you imagine that he only took over recently and already
seeking to bleed the system? Something is definitely wrong with people who are entrusted into
these positions,” the source said.
WWW.aroundtheregions.com has confirmed that Dr Harris’ relative is a known businessman and
that the items were procured at inflated prices.
“I am the man who (is) in charge and I running things now. I am the boss right now in health and
if I say that I want this or that, that is how it will be,” Harris reportedly told an employee when
confronted with his procurement breaches.
Neither REO, Mr. Dwight John nor RHO Harris could be reached directly but the latter said via a
text message that he was in a meeting.
“The question has to be asked is if REO who is the chairperson of the Regional Tender Board
understands what is really taking place under his nostrils. I don’t think that he is a participant of
what is becoming more evident but certainly he is either being outsmarted and or duped by the
RHO and team”.
“Something isn’t right and frankly I think that Harris’s interest seems to be in what he can
garner from the Region financially instead of creating avenues and platforms for holistic
growth and development of the health sector. This has to be fixed,” the source said.