I was not the REO for Region 8 in the years under review by PAC

Please permit me to set the record in order in relation to an online article by inewsguyana.com circulating widely on social media. The article, which bears a photograph of me, and captioned: “Contractors who owed millions were allowed to bid for more contracts in Reg. 8.” implies that I was involved in the years under review. May I state that I was not the Regional Executive Officer of the Potaro/Siparuni Region in the years alluded to in the article. In fact, I was the Regional Executive Officer of that Region from the 7th April, 2018 to January 3rd 2019. Additionally, the Regional Executive Officer was not being truthful when he suggested that I am located in an area where telephone signal is sporadic. In fact, I live eight (8) miles out of Lethem where the phone signal is as strong as it is in the town itself. I have both Digicel and GTT phones; in addition to a strong Wi-Fi service. The fact that I am sending this letter via e-mail from my home is testimony to that fact.

Last year, the Regional Executive Officer of the Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo Region made the same assertion. He was probably embarrassed when the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities patched me through live to PAC to answer a few queries. It is interesting to note that he was instructed to get me involved in answering the queries. I never got a call from him; that is not until today (Tuesday 2022-0510) when his secretary called to inform me that I was invited to attend PAC. I informed her to let the REO contact me personally for us to discuss the terms of my engagement. He never did. I am not sure why these REOs are avoiding me like that. I am not sure why they go to the PAC. I am available, ready and willing to represent my stewardship, but it has to be on mutually agreed grounds. I trust this letter provides clarity to the issue of my involvement at the level of PAC. Sincerely,

Carl Parker

Former REO