In light of the consecutive disruptions of the Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Statutory Meetings for the past seven months by Councillors of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) says the Party will seek
Ronald Bulkan
legal redress.
This was confirmed by the PPP’s General Secretary Clement Rohee, who noted on Tuesday that the Party will indeed move to the courts to advocate its concerns. However, Rohee was tightlipped as to when the PPP will file legal action.
The disruptions have stemmed from Councillors of the APNU/AFC, demanding an apology from Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal, who they claimed disrespected President David Granger by not showing up for an event on January 15, where the President commissioned two buses under the then Three ‘Bs’ initiative. However, Ramphal has maintained that he was never invited to the event, and as such, there was no need to apologise.
In an issued statement on Tuesday, the Regional Chairman stated that the situation is “intolerable” and he has seen “no incisive reaction from President David Granger” on the behaviour of the Councillors.
“The unruly APNU/AFC Councillors have persisted in their behaviour despite being informed about the negative impact of their actions on the well-being of the residents of Region Five,” Ramphal noted.
Clement Rohee
The Chairman further pointed out that this situation has “tremendously affected” the work of the Council, especially in light of the months of prolonged flooding that has affected the lives of residents and farmers.
“The consequence has been disastrous on the region with the Council being unable to deliver, with any efficiency, services to which the residents of Region Five are entitled, including those who have voted for the very Councillors whose conduct is causing this unsatisfactory state of affairs… the Council has been unable to excavate and clean important canals, drains and trenches…
which have caused millions of dollars in losses due to floods and the region has been unable to offer effective assistance to the residents affected by this flooding,” the Region Five Chairman observed.
He also noted that his region has been unable to properly monitor the two hospitals, as well as the health care centres in the region. Some of the problems he pointed out were understaffing, drug shortages and poor roads.
“The Council has been unable to address the educational needs in the region, as a result, schools are falling apart throughout the region… the children of Mortice, Mahaicony Nursery School have been without a school building for over two months; the region has been unable to oversee the award of contracts and as a result, contracts continue to be awarded without any scrutiny by the Council,” Ramphal noted.
The Region Five Chairman’s statement added that the PPP/C Councillors are inviting the media to “witness the behaviour of the APNU/AFC Councillors” at the August Statutory Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 18,
Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal
2016.
It was pointed out that in the interim, the RDC will continue its appeal to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan to intervene and put an end to what he described as a “monstrous seven-month long unacceptable situation.”
Meanwhile, Councillors of the Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) RDC have expressed solidarity with their regional counterparts, noting that the Region Five RDC should be allowed to function and have echoed calls for the intervention of the Communities and Social Cohesion Ministers.
Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt during an interview with Guyana Times noted that the “disruptive actions” of the APNU/AFC Council members are “creating challenges” to the residents, pointing out that it can have a “negative effect on the entire region since elected representatives are not given an opportunity to push the region’s developmental agenda”.
Ramdatt noted that Region Two is offering “its sympathy” with the residents of Region Five and has called on the coalition Councillors to “cease and desist from their disruptive behaviour”.
“Councillors [in Region Two] also call for Region Five Councillors to put their differences behind and to work constructively as Councillors to address the many challenges facing the people of Region Five,” he noted.
Ramdatt expressed that Region Five’s Chairman Ramphal must be given a “fair opportunity” to serve.
