REO John Locks DREO Seewchan From his office

REGIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER (REO) OF UPPER DEMERARA/BERBICE
(REGION TEN) MR. DWIGHT JOHN LOCKED OUT HIS NEWLY-APPOINTED
DEPUTY Mr. Seewchan from his office Wednesday demanding the DREO exit the
building.
Reliable information reaching www.aroundtheregions.com suggested DREO Seewchan was
summoned to John’s office and given the shocking instruction without explanation.
Seewchan, an experienced public servant, and very knowledgeable of Public Service rules and
regulations, objected, requesting John’s diktat in writing.
However, the REO allegedly remarked: “Mr. Seewchan you are standing in the way of the
DREO (ag) Ms. Dolette Powers and I am reminding you that you must vacate this office as this
is the office assigned for her. Please leave immediately.”
John’s handpicked Powers months ago to act as the DREO before the Public Service
Commission (PSC), the body officially responsible for such appointments, named Seewchan, a
former Permanent Secretary (PS), who headed the Procurement Department of the Ministry of
Public Health under the 2015 -2020 David Granger administration.
The move to sideline Seewchan from performing his duties is to prevent him being part of
tomorrow (Friday) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) statutory where John plans to
unilaterally publicly name Powers his deputy, sidestepping the PSC decision, a source disclosed.

“There are attempting to block him from attending the RDC meeting also, that he (REO) can put
Ms. Powers who he personally appointed into the position to act. However, the law is the law,
and I am sure that drama will unfold at the meeting.”
“The nonsenses that takes place in this region is beyond unreasonable as you cannot act on the
instruction of a REO and go against the Public Service regulations as therefore your job is in
jeopardy,” another knowledgeable Region Ten source said.
“We have had a problem in this region with appointed officers and now to see that it was finally
evolving into something good with Mr. Seewchan its sad that the REO took such an action,” an
employee said.
Lindeners openly expressed disappointment on the latest drama in the resource-rich but
impoverished bauxite-mining town, declaring that John’s actions are unwarranted.
REO John is widely viewed as a toxic figure in Linden and his venomous behaviour has been the
subject of discussion at several regional events. The seven-month Irfaan Ali administration will
suffer undue embarrassment if he isn’t reined in, an official requesting anonymity, said.
“REO is taking advice from higher up and it’s clear that he is being ill advised because when this
situation blows up, he will be embarrassed and he should know that governments generally drop
you like hot cakes when you create undue embarrassment for them,” a source told this
publication.
“Under Section A 02 number 5 clearly states that he has no authority to effect the removal and or
dismissal of a staff as that comes from the Public Service Commission directly,” an official close
to the region pointed out.
Labour body, Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Region Ten Representative, Mr. Maurice
Butters, confirmed the situation and said his union is in solidarity with the official PSC appointee
and plans taking action against the REO’s contemptuous disregard for an appointed officer.
Butters said: “We (GPSU) are aware of the situation and we will be taking action shortly. It
seems as though the REO feels that he is above the law and that he can dictate willy nilly who is
the DREO. We will be taking appropriate action in the matter.”

Senior Personnel Officer, Ms. Simone Johnson, was unhelpful when Seewchan approached her
for remedy. Said a source, “it’s evident that she too is unaware of the regulations as she sits by
quietly while injustice is being meted out to him.”
Meanwhile PSC Chairman, Mr. Michael Somersall reportedly counselled the embattled
Seewchan to stay put and ignore the REO’s illegal instructions. Somersall advised Seewchan to
await guidance from that constitutional body.
Mr. Seewchan could not be reached Wednesday.