Rein in Runaway REO Dwight ‘Passa Passa’ John

THE GUYANA PUBLIC SERVICE UNION (GPSU) IS ADVOCATING STRONG
DISCIPLINARY MEASURES be meted to Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mr. Dwight
‘Passa Passa’ John
John has been the centre of severe criticisms from Regional Democratic Council (RDC)
members of the government and opposition who have constantly pilloried his “unethical and
unprofessional” conduct.
The REO’s disgraceful public behaviour earned him the soubriquet ‘Passa Passa REO’.
‘Passa Passa’ is a Jamaican dirty dancing performed at weekly street parties. The salacious dance
helps promote raunchiness and lude behaviour among participants.
Even in the midst of ongoing strict regulations because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,
REO John was noted for promoting late-night parties and the gyrations associated with ‘Passa
Passa’ in the bauxite-mining town of Linden in Upper Demerara/Berbice (Region Ten).
GPSU executive, 1 st Vice President, Ms. Dawn Gardener, recently demanded the eight-month-
old Irfaan Ali administration rein in John who, as junior to many Public Servants, with his
qualification and lack of experience, was however catapulted to the senior position.
John jumped five tiers from Mr. Seewchan, Gardner noted, to hold the REO’s position.
Consequently, his greenness has led him into several unnecessary controversies documented by
RDC employees who have branded him “unethical and unprofessional”.
One of John’s latest puerile acts was changing the locks on his Deputy, Mr. Seewchan’s door
clandestinely. Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Mr. Michael Somersall sternly
rebuked John for his jejune behaviour.
The REO however blamed Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Nigel
Dharamlall, for that immature behaviour.

John was apparently unhappy that Somersall’s PSC appointed Mr. Seewchan, an experienced
Public Servant, ahead of his hand-picked Ms. Dollette Powers as his Deputy. Since then he has
been venting his frustrations on Seewchan.
Somersall made it clear that Powers was acting illegally as DREO, and the Commission will
never approve any payment for her roleplay in the post.
“There are two vacant positions for DREOs in Linden and then the subject has refused to accept
the person we sent there. That guy (REO John) who is making the disturbance and creating
problems, he, according to what I have read, has appointed his own DREO acting. I don’t know
who will sign that appointment. Not me, or the Commission that I control, so I don’t know how
she will get paid,” he stated.
Somersall said changing Seewchan’s door locks clandestinely is not only illegal and unethical,
but unprofessional, and reveals the true caliber and character of John.
This can lead to legal and other challenges, Somersall warned.
“We, the Commission has appointed the man (Seewchan) as DREO as we find a vacancy for him
and you can’t tell me or the Commission where we should put a person. I reminded him that I am
the Chairman of the Commission and the authority that the Commission has and therefore you
will have to find space there (at the RDC) for him because we as a Commission will not move
him from there and you (John) can’t move him from there either,’ Somersall declared.
Said he: “As long as I am on the Commission, I will execute my duties professionally and
legally” and no REO will make decisions or dictate the agenda of that constitutional body.
However, during the Press Conference, it was revealed that the Public Service Commission
(PSC) is the constitutional body that deals with the promotion, hiring, disciplining and transfer of
Public Servants. “This august body on 8 th  February, 2021 transferred Mr. Seewchan to Region #
10 as the Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO). As DREO Mr. Seewchan is the highest
ranking Public Servant in the Region,” the GPSU Senior Official said.
Gardener stated that from John’s actions he isn’t pleased with the PSC appointment and therefore
seeks to get rid of neutralise Mr. Seewchan via several illegal roadblocks in his path.

“It seems as though the appointment of Mr. Seewchan does not meet the approval of the
Regional Executive Officer (REO) who is putting obstacles in the way for Mr. Seewchan to take
up his appointment. Mr. Seewchan is supposed to be provided with suitable living quarters, an
office and office staff. All of these necessary amenities that befit the office of the DREO are
being denied to Mr. Seewchan by the REO,” Gardner complained.
She said John’s juvenile decisions have dire financial consequences for Seewchan who is forced
to incur astronomical expenses to save his public service employment.
“So as not to be deemed absent without leave, Mr. Seewchan travels from Georgetown to Linden
every day, (and) accommodates himself in the Boardroom with no administrative work being
assigned to him. The office that was traditionally assigned to the DREO is locked and the REO
controls the keys,” Gardener said.
She chastened John for his flagrant abuse of power reminding him there will be repercussions.
“This is blatant abuse of authority and a disrespect of the PSC by the REO. This Union is calling
on the Ministry of Local Government to exercise its authority and get the REO to respect the
PSC and accommodate Mr. Seewchan as befitting a DREO,” Gardener counselled.