“Don’t be arrogant, justify your spending” – Region Five REO to Chairman, NDCs 

DPI, GUYANA, Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Regional Executive Officer (REO) of the Mahaica-Berbice Region, Ovid Morrison has taken umbrage over the behaviour of the Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal and Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) that fall under the opposition who have refused to consult for the region’s 2019 budget.

As the region’s accounting officer, Morrison said he had summoned the various NDC’s to a meeting for them to justify their respective proposals. However, only APNU+AFC councillors appeared for the meeting.

“I have not seen a single person from the People’s Progressive Party that came to give justification. But the chairman and some councillors presented a shopping list. How are you going to present a shopping list and you didn’t come to justify why this must take a position over others?” he questioned.

According to the REO, convincing the national treasury to allocate funds towards something he himself has no clarity on would be an act of dishonesty and one which he would not attempt.

“Those things I know that I can go in the areas and get the views of the people, but if you are the leader, come and justify those things that you want for the people. Don’t be arrogant,” he told the chairman and councillors.

Morrison said the region has to keep its schedule with the national requirement for budget and will have to go through the process. Each programme head will have to meet with the Ministry of Communities in order to justify their proposals.

“RDC is about leadership and consultation with the people,” Morrison said, noting that as REO, he will do his work.

By: Alexis Rodney.

Image: Karime Peters.