Latest update January 19th, 2025 4:45 AM
Region Eight Councilors pass no-confidence vote against REO
– cites non-cooperation, distrust
No-confidence: REO Ronald Harsawack
The Region Eight Democratic Council (RDC) has passed a vote of no-confidence against its Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ronald Harsawack, for non-cooperation and other critical issues.
According to officials of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), the motion was tabled and passed on Tuesday during a routine bi-monthly meeting of the RDC.
The two parties are set to host a press conference this week and a notice is being prepared to be sent to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud, informing him of the no-confidence vote.
It will mean that the Ministry will have to find a replacement, APNU’s Shadow Minister of Local Government, Ronald Bulkan, said yesterday.
AFC had wrested control of the region from the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), following the November 28 General and Regional Elections.
This is a critical mining area and is the region where government is planning to build a multi-million dollar hydroelectric facility at Amaila Falls.
The motion was tabled by APNU’s Councillor, Oswald Junor, after “several instances” of Harsawack allegedly delayed the mobilization of excavators to conduct critical works.
“This was almost like sabotage. Mr. Harsawack is actually the Chief Executive Officer of the Region and by not releasing resources on time, people suffer. This is not an issue about AFC or APNU. People will want to lay blame. Well, the blame is on the doorstep on the REO. Further, there is a lack of trust,” an AFC councilor said yesterday.
Residents of Mahdia, which is the heart of Region Eight, had blocked roads and protested road conditions and the garbage situation in recent months.
Roads leading to the local airfield were also not done in time.
“We have several instances where the REO was asked to assist with a number of projects and he failed to carry them out.”
In one case, there were discrepancies over the price quoted for the rental of a bulldozer with the REO reportedly saying it was $120,000.
“We could not believe when the operator insisted that the price was actually $50,000 for the rental. So there are several instances of non-cooperation and the RDC is not prepared at this time to work with Mr. Harsawack.”
Kaieteur News was able to make contact with Harsawack yesterday who confirmed that a vote of no-confidence was passed against him.
However, he declined to comment and referred the newspaper to Nigel Dharamlall, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government. The Permanent Secretary’s phone was however, switched off.
Kaieteur News was unable to make contact with Region Eight Chairman, Mark Crawford.
Pic filed Ronald harsawack
No-confidence: REO Ronald Harsawack
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