REO Persaud sees accelerated progress in Region Six next year

IF REGIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER (REO) Narindra Persaud has his way, the people of
East Berbice/Corentyne (Region Six) can anticipate greater things in the 36,234 square
kilometres Region and its 109,430 inhabitants.
East Berbice/Corentyne is the only of the 10 Administrative Regions to include parts of all the
four natural [geographic] regions: coastal plain, intermediate savannah, hilly and sandy clay area
and forested highland.
Speaking exclusively to this media house, Persaud revealed that his first priority is to fill the
numerous existing vacancies in the RDC. Staff shortage help cripple development thrust, REO
Persaud said.
“We have already started filling several of these departments that are not fully staffed and we are
hoping that by the end of the first quarter that this is completed. We are hoping that by filling
several vacant positions that it will help boost us as we seek to get the work done,” he said.
The health sector will be on the regional front burner, Persaud said. The REO spoke about
introducing a health training which he noted will significantly boost the technical human
resource availability in the predominantly agricultural sector.
“This will help to enhance our ability to have more specialty in doctors, nurses and services as
we seek to advance the overall health care in the region. We are working very hard on this to
make it a reality,” he said.
Continuing he said: “You know when you get to the hospital here, they can only do the basics
but the patient has to be transferred to the Georgetown hospital for specialty care and service
because we don’t have the specialists. Well, we are working towards this so that persons may no
longer have to travel to Georgetown for these important services. We want to be able to provide
specialty training services so that the people of this region can adequately benefit from those.”

Strengthening available services in the Region Six health sector will help limit the need for
patients to travel to the capital city for health interventions. Persaud unveiled the idea of his
novel health training school which he said will be part of the region’s 2021 budget estimates.
REO Persaud previously served as a Councillor in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC)
Demerara/Mahaica (Region Four) and was also a member of its Tender Board. He was also
school principal in the private sector and a Ministry of Health employee.
“The experiences that I have gained over the years from various sectors have certainly helped
and prepared me so I can manage effectively as the REO. I learnt a lot over the years, and it is
now helping me to better serve the people in my new capacity. There are many things that I have
fought for as a Regional Councillor. I can now implement it for the staff that falls under me can
benefit significantly,” he said.
His greatest satisfaction is witnessing firsthand how residents benefit from equitable distribution
of resources in East Berbice- Corentyne
“There is always a first in everything and too many times I have seen where people in this
country feel that they cannot do it but I believe that you can only know the person’s ability
by giving them an opportunity,” Persaud reiterated.