Present And Former Employees’ Details Corruption to Minister Dharamlall

A number of present and former employees of the Regional Democratic Council RDC Region Ten, have detailed several issues of corrupt activities involving senior RDC officials. The damming revelation was made to the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall who was also accompanied by Minister within his Ministry, Anand Persaud.

Several of the corrupt practices, which according to sources close to the region, was managed and facilitated by the accounts department, which is supervised by the Principled Assistant Secretary (PAS), Dolette Powers. However after former REO, Orrin Gordon was dismissed she was elevated to act in the position as acting REO.

Several persons speaking to this media house, www.aroundtheregions.com confirmed that they have concrete evidence and if the relevant authorities reviews same it will expose the depth of corruption that took place within RDC. “We have a region where hundreds of millions came to this region over the past five years but very little was done for the residents and because of the residents political passion, these officials took advantage of their loyalty and support, thus resulting in no major development,” an employee said.

The employee demanded that there must be a full investigation as the alleged corruption spanned several programmes with Health, Education and Admin leading the way. “The corruption was so great that even to several contractors were involved and if someone wanted to be honest and not be a part of the ring, they mysteriously were ignored and sidelined for jobs. They ensured that they were able to get the confidence and loyalty of many and while the Accounts department were able to maneuver so as to not raise suspicion, they forgot that several persons were alerted and kept evidences,” the employee said.

Three former employees also detailed acts corruption which involved millions including some forty odd millions that were earmarked for Millie’s Hideout. The former employees related how two current Regional Councillors benefited significantly from sidekicks and even were awarded contracts. Several of the contracts totaling millions were done as ‘small’ contracts, which is a clear violation of the procurement regulations and financial acts.  Additionally, there were persons who received contracts with no papery evidence of these contracts being signed too, with many persons pointing out that it would raise evident eyebrows.

However, several of the whistleblowers have confessed to the Minister that because of their lack of tract and confidence in the Permanent Secretary Emile Mc Garrel they are reluctant to share evidence and information with him. “He operated like a ‘pig’ and unless he liked you, he was quick to dismiss people’s claim as being mischievous. What is worrying however is that he wouldn’t even allow you to share your information with him to listen and even investigate, he just dismissed the claims and that is why I am not prepared to share any information and or evidence with PS Mc Garrel,” one person said.

The individual who this media house assured that we will not identify their sex, said that they have suffered immensely by the PS’s lack of interest in curtailing the ‘corruptions’ and the officials within the region’s determination to silence anyone who seems a threat.

“This operation was well organized and if the PPPC administration is serious about addressing these unlawful acts, persons are willing to share because people are fed up with promises and promises,” the person said.

Meanwhile, Minister Dharamlall in speaking to some of the whistle blowers have promised that a thorough investigation will be done, noting that they will get to the stage where programme heads will have to account for monies spent under their watch. 

He told several senior RDC officials and Regional Councillors that the residents of Region Ten must benefit from what the government has earmarked for them. “People entrusted to lead must demonstrate and showcase the ability to lead and as the minister I want toe sure that there is fairness and accountability in everything that is done,” Minister Dharamlall.