102 contracted workers confirmed for Region Three – Administration meets with PAC
DPI, GUYANA, Monday, March 26, 2018
One hundred and two (102) contracted persons have been confirmed as permanent employees for 2016, according to the Region Three, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara administration.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities, Emil McGarrell, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Denis Jaikaran flanked by his Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), Jennifer Ferreira Dougall.
This was disclosed by Regional Executive Officer (REO), Denis Jaikaran during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting today that dealt with the region’s 2016 Auditor General reports.
Responding to a query, the REO said that the administration has been able to function without the fulfillment of some of its critical positions such as principal personnel officer, senior procurement officer, procurement officer and district development officer among others. Jaikaran disclosed that the administration is awaiting the appointment of persons to these positions by the Public Service Department.
The REO stressed that the administration also hopes to regularise one hundred and eighty-three (183) contract-employees from 2017, with the approval of the Public Service. This is in keeping with the government’s commitment to cease the practice of hiring persons on a contractual basis and instead move to attaining permanent employees.
The PAC also requested the Region Three administration provide a list, within the next two weeks, of the 19 contractors and suppliers who have not yet received payment for their services in 2016. This request followed REO Jaikarran’s explanation that the cheques totalling $8.887M, were never uplifted, therefore the administration took the decision to return the money to the consolidated fund.
On the matter of persons occupying the government quarters, the REO explained that following his dispatch of letters requesting the provision of rent, only 21 of the 67 occupants complied. PAC Chairman, Irfaan Ali then advised the REO to notify those officials to discontinue the practice of living in the government quarters rent-free or the rent will be deducted from their salary.
Meanwhile, the Region One (Barima-Waini) administration was advised to return to the PAC at a later date, due to their inability to answer the questions posed to them.
By: Neola Damon