New REO to be judged on performance, Region Seven Chairman says

Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford says he will not judge new Regional Executive Officer Roderick Edinboro based on comments about his performance in the Region Five administration, from where he was transferred.

The Regional Chairman of Region Five Vickchand Ramphal had explained to Stabroek News that Edinboro was transferred, effective from July 6, to Region Seven in light of recent criticism from the councillors about his performance. “Over the last few months, councillors on both sides weredissatisfied with Edinboro’s performance, which forced them to bring the issue to the Ministry of Communities and the actions were subsequently taken,” Ramphal had said, while noting that Ovid Morrison was slated to take over the post.

However, Region Seven Chairman Bradford told Stabroek News on Friday that he was going to judge the transferred REO on his work during his current tenure. “I don’t know what concerns the councillors for Region Five had and I prefer to wait and see what is done in the coming weeks. I don’t want to judge the new REO based on what has been said until such time I find him doing anything contrary to his duties,” Bradford said, while pointing out that while he has no control over the transferal and comments that are made in the media, he only cares whether the REO does the work he is charged with doing and getting it done efficiently.

When asked about the former Region Seven REO Peter Ramotar, Bradford explained that his contract had ended and was not renewed, which made space for the transfer of Edinboro.

Speaking to Stabroek News, Edinboro said that he welcomed the transfer and attributed it to a “change around” by the Ministry and discredited claims of him not carrying out his responsibilities efficiently.

“That is unfounded. The minister did not state that and I tried to clarify but I don’t know if it’s political. I am not worried and I welcome the move,” Edinboro said.

When the Ministry of Communities was contacted for a comment on the transfer, Stabroek News was told that a statement was being prepared. However, subsequently Stabroek News was told that the Ministry had decided not to go public on the issue and all that could have be relayed was that the transfer was approved by the Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan.