‘Rubber stamp’ Works Committee guilty of biased criticisms

THE UPPER DEMERARA/ BERBICE (REGION TEN) REGIONAL DEMOCRATIC
COUNCIL (RDC) WORKS COMMITTEE IS SOFT on contractors linked to the ruling
Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) but strict on those they deem affiliated to opposition A
Partnership for National Unity, Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition.
Consequently, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Dwight John and the RDC Works Committee
head, Councillor Eleze Benjamin-Hall, have been at the brunt of scathing criticisms for much
substandard projects given a pass from PPP/C-linked contractors operating in the impoverished
bauxite-mining municipality of Linden.
“You have some contractors who practically get away with what we would say is murder as they
are executing some very poor quality of work but nothing is being said to them. However, the
minute somebody who they (RDC) feels is close to the opposition does something that is outside,
or not in accordance with what is expected, they are ready to crucify them,” a contractor who
requested anonymity disclosed.
Linden residents are outraged at the Works Committee’s double standard.
“What should go for Paul should go for all. You cannot have some contractors doing extremely
poor work and still securing contracts, while those who may have made some minor blunders
being penalised in the harshest ways. This can’t be right,” a resident argued.
“There is a need for a level playing field as there are some contractors based on their affiliation
continue to abuse the system and that is what is creating undue challenges,” the resident
observed.
Several contracts were recently flagged for poor works, and according to some residents, while
the REO is ultimately responsible, he shouldn’t be the only one sharing the blame. They noted
that the RDC lacks skillful professionals. They said that there is an evident shortage of
competent professionals at the RDC while adding that the ongoing saga between the REO and
DREO, Seewchan, has been significantly affecting the growth and development of the
predominantly mining Region.

They said despite DREO Seewchan finally given a house and an office space, he is still denied
signing powers, deliberately left out of key meetings, and refused any serious responsibilities in
the Region.
“REO (John) must be King alone in the Region,” one told www.aroundtheregions.com cynically.
“It’s like there is no one else other than the REO, as the DREO is not given any responsibility
and the two AREOs are not even part of what is taking place. They too are left in the dark so we
have a situation where everything is done by the REO, and because of this, his time is certainly
limited and work load rapidly growing because several of the responsibilities that would have
been handled by the DREO have been deliberately taken away and managed solely by the REO,”
a knowledgeable source said.
“This is certainly a major disaster waiting to happen,” an employee familiar with several projects
in the Region predicted.
www.aroudntheregions.com received confirmation by several sources close to the DREO that
there is no thawing in the situation with REO John.
John had unilaterally appointed a female his deputy contrary to established Public Service
Commission (PSC) rules. He seems still livid that Seewchan received the PSC blessing and as an
apparent payback, the AREO is “parked in a ‘corner” a source said.
“The REO is deliberately keeping the DREO from being involved in several things within the
Region and it is really affecting the output of the Region. Sadly, it seems like the government is
not interested in what is taking place in Linden. The residents are suffering by the selfish and
devious actions of one man who is even ill-prepared, and not competent to execute the duties of
REO because of his party loyalty that come first in front of everything and everyone else,” an
employee said.
A member of the Works Committee admitted that there are more questions than answers on
several issues, but noted that the Works Committee is a toothless poodle.
“The truth is that the Works Committee is a rubber stamp and we all know it so while decisions
made by the committee should be binding, the real decisions and actions are made from the
REO’s office as they ultimately possess the powers. Many of us are of the view that after the

Works Committee meetings the real meetings takes place between the REO and a selected few
and they are the ones who makes the real decisions,” the Works Committee member said.
Mark Goring, Dexter Harding, Carol Benjamin, Franklyn Carew, the late VC Douglas
Gittens, Hugh Stephens, Elford Les Flores, Lindie Sharpe, Audwin Rutherford, Byron
Kendall, Randolph Kendell and Ian Ali are currently members of the much-scorned Works
Committee.