Region Ten officially recognises DREO Seewchan

Welcomes REdO Richards too
REGIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER (REO) MR. DWIGHT JOHN HAS OFFICIALLY
RECOGNISED HIS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (PSC)-APPOINTEE DEPUTY
MR. SEEWCHAN after months of uncalled-for drama.
Relief swept through the Upper Demerara\/Berbice (Region Ten) Regional Democratic Council
(RDC) staff and applause punctured the atmosphere when Seewchan was formally welcomed in
the bauxite-mining Municipality where the RDC is located.
REO John was initially unwilling to recognize outsider Seewchan, a highly-experienced public
servant, who served as a Permanent Secretary and Head of a government Ministry’s Procurement
Department before his current PSC appointment.
John preferred Ms. Dollete Powers who was acting in the post.
Powers will revert to her substantive post of Principal Assistant Secretary (PAS), Finance.
A STINGING REBUKE FROM PSC CHAIRMAN, MR. MICHAEL SOMERSALL WAS NOT
ENOUGH to shift the stubborn John. However, www.aroundtheregions.com understands that
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall’s personal
intervention helped resolve the months-long stalemate.
When he was formally introduced and asked to address the Council, Seewchan spoke of his
passion, love and determination for the public service, assuring Councillors that he is ready and
determined to serve to the best of his ability. He promised to uphold his professional ethics and
will seek to advance development and growth within the Region.
Seewchan who holds responsibility for the RDC staff explained his open-door policy
emphasizing his plan to strengthen human resources within the Region. Race and political
affiliation have no place in his decision-making Seewchan explained.

Meanwhile, the region also officially welcomed Regional Education Officer (REdO), Mr. Nigel
Richards to the Region.
Richards is the former long-serving REdO from Barima/Waini (Region One) for many years. He
was one of several Regional Education Officers recently transferred by the Education Ministry
by Chief Education Officer, (CEO) Dr. Marcel Hutson.
Richards was credited with a number of innovative and creative initiatives implemented in
Region One which drew praises from Founder of School of the Nations, Dr Brian O’Toole.
Richards’ plan brought significant improvement in students’ academic performances with many
securing between seven and 10 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate
(CSEC) tests.
A number of those Region One students also enrolled at the University of Guyana (UG) through
scholarships.
However, with the recent change of Government last year, Regional Chairman Mr. Brentnol
Ashley told this publication there were numerous complaints against Richards by teachers and
parents. Ashley also accused Richards of openly campaigning for the then APNU+AFC
administration and victimised and discriminated against teachers of another political persuasion.
The matter reached boiling point resulting eventually in Richards’ transfer.
Like Seewchan, Richards also received congratulatory remarks from Councillors and assurances
of their unwavering support and assistance.
Richards, humbled by the enormous show of support, thanked the Council promising to
remain faithful and dedicated to the people and his priorities which are the students and
teachers.