Region Two Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson says six vacancies that were recently filled for the RDC were done by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
He made the statement yesterday following a claim by the Regional Democra-tic Council (RDC) Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt that he was employing “senior citizens who are known supporters of the PNC.”
Ramdatt and Hopkinson have been at loggerheads for a number of months.
A press release on Saturday from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition on behalf of Ramdatt said, “The Regional Democratic Council of Region Two totally rejects the efforts of the Regional Executive Offer – Mr. Rupert Hopkinson to employ retirees to fill fabricated positions within the Regional Administration.”
It went on to state that in a memorandum, dated January 17, 2017 which was sent to the Ministry of the Presidency by Hopkinson, the REO “sought approval to employ senior citizens who are known supporters of the PNC(R) to fill six positions”. The PNCR is a key member of the governing coalition.
Ramdatt’s press release identified the positions as: Administrative Officer, Mechanical Superintendent, Superinten-dent of Works, Clerk of Works, Checker and Administrative Assistant, and stated that the persons’ ages ranged from 58 to 63.
“The qualification, experience and ability of these senior citizens to function efficiently and effectively is highly questionable and will compromise the quality of human resources in the Public Service,” the press release from Ramdatt said, while adding that the REO’s request was not in keeping with President David Granger’s recent comments on the age of persons serving the public.
In an invited comment, Hopkinson told Stabroek News, “These are not PNC supporters, these are career public servants. Persons who were employed to function in those positions before in Region Two.” He added that the persons that have been slated to fill the vacancies have all worked under the previous administration in similar positions.
“They are not senior citizens, they are persons who have got as many as 25 years of experience in their positions,” he added.
Ramdatt’s press release had said “The Regional Democratic Council noted a lack transparency in the recruitment process, in fact it is a breach of employment practice within the Public Service. The basics were not followed; no vacancy notice, no application, no shortlisting of suitable applicants and no interview was done”. The press release added that Ramdatt has since written to the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, criticising “such employment practices” which are strongly oppos-ed by the RDC of Pomeroon/Supenaam.
“Region Two has a high level of unemployment, many qualified young people, and graduates from the University of Guyana are seeking employment. This breach of employment practice points to the Government’s lack of interest in creating opportunities for young Guyanese,” the statement added.
However, contrary to what Ramdatt said, Hopkinson said that the vacancies were filled by the PSC and not by him.
“The Public Service (Commission) employed these persons based on recommendations on their years of service and skills set. And it’s not permanent. These persons are temporary and will be there until the positions in Region Two are regularised where we can manage the corruption and then you can have younger people in the position that are technically sound,” he said, while pointing out that the vacancies were advertised more than once and there were no suitable candidates.
Hopkinson also contended that there is a lot of corruption taking place in the region and there is a need for persons who can be trusted and have the competence to do the work.
“I know them because they have worked in the system before with the PPP/C government and they have a reputation of good service. These are not party people. These are career public servants who have been there for almost three decades. They are persons you can rely on and if the Public Service Commission believes so then who am I to say otherwise,” he questioned.
Ramdatt also complained that “Only in July of 2016; a qualified young Guyanese was appointed by the Public Service Commission … to be appointed Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), Region Two. REO Hopkinson was part of that interview panel that recommended the young man for the post of Deputy Regional Executive Officer. When the DREO reported for duties after being instructed by the PSC he was never given access to his office by Hopkinson,” the statement said, while pointing out that the Region Two Co-op Department is not in operation because it is lacking a qualified Co-op Officer and “a graduate from the University of Guyana cannot be provided with office space by the REO”.
