FINALLY!!! DREO Seewchan Gets back His office

INTERVENTION FROM ‘ABOVE’ HAS ENDED THE TIFF between Regional Executive
Officer (REO) Dwight John and his Deputy Seewchan opening the door, literally, for the latter to
function since his Public Service Commission (PSC) appointment.
John, apparently unhappy with Seewchan’s appointment, clandestinely changed the lock on his
DREO’s office denying him entrance simultaneously ensuring he had no place to function. In
addition, www.aroundtheregions.com understands that Seewchan was given no duties and
housing forcing the DREO to travel daily to Linden from Diamond, on the East Bank corridor.
Worsening the already annoying situation, was the fact that the experienced one-time Permanent
Secretary (PS) and former head of the Public Health Ministry’s Procurement Division, was also
given no duties since his legitimate PSC appointment.
But when Seewchan turned up for work Thursday, John handed over the keys to his office.
PSC Chairman, Mr. Michael Somersall threatened strong measures against John for illegally
hampering its appointee from taking up his duties.
In an interview when the tiff became public Somersall promised to “ensure that justice is meted
out” for Seewchan’s calling John’s decision illegal, unethical and unprofessional, making bare
the true caliber and character of the REO.
This can lead to legal and other challenges, Somersall had warned.
“We, the Commission, have 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.
News of Seewchan’s return to his office spread quickly to the pleasure and relief of many
Regional Democratic Council (RDC) employees and workers in other sectors in Upper
Demerara/Berbice (Region Ten).
“Since the last DREO, Ms. Maylene Stephen retired, we have not been able to have a DREO
who has had such an excellent relationship with the staff and its very important to have DREO
who the staff feels comfortable to reach out to considering that several of the staff related issues
are dealt with by the DREO,” an employee said.
Another opined that John’s strong-armed approach likely ruined the possibility of an excellent
relationship with his Deputy, further hindering the credibility and growth of the impoverished
bauxite-mining community.
“The REO has to recognise that with an experienced Public Servant like Seewchan the region
will definitely progress and hopefully he would learn considering the fact that his (John’s)
knowledge about Regional matters is exceptionally poor and his inexperience is evident.”
Employees hope though the DREO and REO can put their differences aside and work towards
the advancement of Region Ten.
“From my view these issues are personal. I cannot say who should be held accountable, but what
I can say is that if they can put their differences aside and work together then with the plans and
vision that the Government has for Region Ten, we certainly will be trend-setters in this country.
I am glad that the DREO has gotten back his office so that he can demonstrate his experience,
knowledge and ability in executing his duties, while the REO can get the needed support to

effectively execute his responsibilities, as frankly the region cannot move ahead with the REO
alone working,” another employee offered,
A source close to the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) was satisfied the DREO has
returned to his office, hoping that other outstanding issues and benefits under the DREO
portfolio would be returned.
Pressed for a comment on the matter all Seewchan said was “I guess higher forces may
have intervened.”