PSC Chairman Scolds errant Region Ten REO

CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (PSC), MR. MICHAEL
SOMERSALL IS THREATENING STRONG MEASURES against Regional Executive
Officer (REO) of Region Ten, Mr. Dwight John for illegally locking his Deputy, Mr. Seewchan,
from his office this week.
Somersall confirmed the constitutional body will testify on Seewchan’s behalf if the legally
appointed DREO pursues legal action against John to “ensure that justice is meted out”.
The PSC is in receipt of an avalanche of complaints against the Upper Demerara/Berbice REO
who employees describe as dictatorial, arrogant and self-centered, who believes the Regional
Democratic Council (RDC) is his private property.
John had hand-picked Ms. Dollette Powers as his Deputy, and was apparently stung when PSC’s
official appointee, Seewchan, arrived.
Somersall made it clear that Powers is 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.
“There are two positions for DREO: one for Finance and the other for Administration. But the
REO who is sitting there, picked his own DREO because he didn’t want Seewchan. But he can’t
tell Seewchan that, because he doesn’t have the authority to give Seewchan such instructions. He
may have to end up paying the man,” the Chairman noted.
“I hope he knows what he is doing because he is going the wrong place to raise such nonsense
with people, and no one will accept his nonsense,” the outraged Chairman said.
He said that the Commission will be looking on to see what emerges from Friday’s statutory
RDC meeting, warning that based on the REO’s actions, serious disciplinary measures await him
and his playact Powers, because the power to hire and or fire lies solely with the PSC.
Somersall, a former senior police officer has already warned the Region Ten lawmen that they
have no authority to remove Seewchan from the meeting should the REO summon its ranks. He
said the law officers’ roles are unambiguously defined, and the actions of the REO Friday will
seal his faith moving forward.
Powers must acquaint herself with the rules and regulations to save herself undue
embarrassment and possible litigation, Chairman Somersall counselled.