A number of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) residents on Friday called for the removal of the town’s Mayor, Carlton Beckles.
Reports coming out of the region stated that the protest action was triggered following the suspension of Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Parker, who is
Residents protesting in Region Nine on Friday
embroiled in a sexual assault allegation and was recently charged.
In early 2016, a petition signed by 1200 persons was sent to President David Granger, calling for the REO to be dismissed after he reportedly sexually assaulted a senior regional official.
However, Guyana Times understands that Friday’s protest was orchestrated by disgruntled residents who claimed that the allegations were instigated by the Mayor of Lethem.
This reportedly angered residents, who claim that the Mayor is fuelling division in the town.
One resident said the town of Lethem is in need of “a Mayor with a vision, not a man who is the author of confusion and division”. These apparent supporters of the REO took to the streets with plaque cards.
One of the card insinuated that Beckles deliberately petitioned to have the REO removed to have full control of the region’s affairs.
However, when contracted, the Mayor said he knows nothing of the issue or the allegation that is being brought against him.
“I don’t deal with propaganda, I deal with facts,” he told this publication.
Beckles said he is not responsible for what happened to the REO as he was not even aware of the issue of his misgivings.
He added that on no occasion did he ever have discussions regards the sexual assault matter.
It is alleged that Parker, 53, of Cenotaph Boulevard, Lethem, Region Nine, sexually assaulted a young lady on June 13, 2016, at Yupukari, Central Rupununi, during a village outreach he had hosted. The REO pleaded not guilty to the charge.
He appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman who read the charge in-camera before granting him bail in the sum of $200,000. Following the arraignment, Parker left the courtroom all smiles as media operatives flocked to take his picture.
