Region 5 RDC failed to resolve impasse

Regional Councillors on both sides of the house on Thursday last made an attempt to resolve the current impasse which has been affecting Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), thus preventing it from having any meaningful meeting since the year commenced.

The tension at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) between the two sides is not as hostile as it was earlier in the year but the Council still cannot see eye to eye.
At Thursday’s RDC meeting, Councillors admitted that their actions had not been in the best interest of the People of Region Five; and as such, a motion was moved to establish a committee to examine the situation.
However, Guyana Times was told that the two sides could not come to an agreement and the RDC was once again adjourned.

The two sides are at loggerheads over the February meeting. On March 15, 2018, when the Council met, Regional Executive Officer Ovid Morrison walked out of the meeting after he tried to evict a media operative from the RDC meeting but his action was viewed as an illegal act and he failed in his bid.
Morrison then staged a walkout and was followed by the coalition Councillors. After more than an hour, the then Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal, adjourned the meet and the People’s Progressive Party Councillors also left.
After that meeting was adjourned, Morrison returned to the building and appointed a Chairman to continue the meeting.
When the Councillors met for the April meeting, the minutes of the March meeting was looked at since the February minutes were already dealt with. Since then, there were no meaningful discussions between the two sides.
Acting Regional Chairman, Rian Pieters told media operatives that the meeting which was convened by the REO is being deemed an illegal one.
“The APNU Councillors continue to hold onto their position which is for us to examine the March minutes and refused to allow for the February minutes to be examined which are legally the last minutes of the RDC.”
The acting Chairman says Councillors have been advised to attend a meeting before the next RDC in an attempt to arrive at a mutual understanding. He also noted that the substantive Chairman has contacted the Communities Ministry on the issue.
“I believe that once Councillors make a decision; especially the APNU Councillors and allow good sense to prevail and for us to put the people’s business before their narrow political agenda, I am sure that we will be able to move forward.