The Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Nine, Carl Parker has been interdicted from duty following the filing of criminal charges against him.

Parker is currently before the courts facing sexual misconduct charges.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan confirmed on Tuesday that Parker has been off the job for over one week and a replacement REO has since been installed.

That replacement is Kerwin Ward, who worked with the Region Three Administration.

He has now assumed the responsibility of acting REO of the Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo region.

Ward has been with the Region Three Administration for over 20 years, and his last substantial position within the Region Three office was field auditor.

Parker was on Thursday, February 9, charged in the Georgetown Magistrates’ court, with sexual assault against one of the region’s elected officials.

Later that evening, Minister Bulkan had informed the media that following the institution of the charge against Parker, he would be interdicted from duty with immediate effect.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, later confirmed the removal of Parker during the legal process by the Communities Ministry, during a press conference.

However, reports from members of the community, the Regional Chairman Brian Allicock, and sections of the media, stated that Parker was still on the job.

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