Region 2 REO justifies living at Regional State House

– tells RDC no house was available for him

BY: INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

Region Two Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson has told Region Two RDC councillors that there was no house available for him to occupy in the Region and as such his only option was to utilise the Regional State House as his living quarters.

Hopkinson, clerk of the RDC, was at the time responding to a matter raised at the statutory meeting in January, which stated that he is living a luxurious life at the Regional State House.

Hopkinson speaking at the February statutory meeting last week, said when he took office as REO there was no house available for him. “Most of the Government houses they showed me were bat infested, the REO had no place, I left good circumstances to come here to serve, I lived a good life at Eccles near some of the most reputable Ministers, but the REO cannot live in a bat infested home,” he explained.

He said the only place that could have matched his living standards and lifestyle was that of the Regional State House.

Explaining further, he said whatever luxurious items he purchased for State House belongs to the Region Two Administration and said that they were purchased under proper accountability.

Further expounding he stated: “This is not about Rupert Hopkinson, you can’t have a REO living in a house which is run down, how would that speak of my office? The REO must live in a decent and modest environment that reflects my office as well as my standard.”

During this discussion PPP/C councillor Brian Persaud said the onus was on the former REO to find a suitable accommodation for Hopkinson since he knew the region was getting a new REO.

Persaud said most governmental officers are living in government houses and he cannot understand why to date there is no house for Hopkinson. Persaud went on to say that the Region Two RDC should assist Hopkinson in locating a house where he could occupy.

The council was informed that the house designated for the Region Two REO is occupied by Dennis Jaikarran who is the serving Region Three REO.

Meanwhile, Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt also said the house that was designated for the REO should be given to him. Concerns were also raised about the amount of maids and other luxuries available to Hopkinson at the cost of the State.