Regional leaders must prioritise responsiveness, service delivery – Pres Ali

…RDC Chairs, VCs sworn-in

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday issued a strong call for renewed dedication, responsiveness, service delivery and public-centred leadership as he administered the Oath of Office to Regional Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons (VCs) from nine of Guyana’s ten Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) at a swearing-in ceremony held at the Office of the President.

The Head of State reminded the newly sworn-in leaders that they hold a profound responsibility to the people they serve and urged them to place citizens at the centre of their work.
“Responsiveness must be stronger and it must be the art at the regional level. The RDC is often the first door citizens knock on. It must not be the last door to open,” the president told the officials, underscoring that regional bodies must be accessible and proactive.
“The people look to you. On your shoulders rests not only the administration of your regions, but the well-being and progress of the citizens who reside within them. You are not merely officials, you are stewards of development, ambassadors of service and guidance of public trust.”
The RDCs are the second tier of Government in Guyana’s governance structure.
Ali also cautioned councillors against viewing their positions as a right, emphasising that “leadership is not an entitlement”, and told the leaders that he “expects you to engage with citizens directly and regularly”.
“Our citizens are wary of long waits, slow responses and delayed interventions. They want faster action when problems arise. They want visible improvement in their communities and they have every right to expect these things… because they know they have a Government in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic that they can trust,” he noted.

Put differences aside
The president called on the leaders to put differences aside and put cooperation as a central strategy to executing their mandate.
“The election campaign is over; service to the people must continue,” he said.
“The competition has ended. Cooperation must not prevail. Let us turn the page on political rivalry and open a new chapter. One of unity and of purpose, collaboration, and commitment to the common good.”
The swearing in of the regional chairpersons and vice chairpersons comes after they were elected to their roles earlier in October, where they were voted into the position by their fellow councillors on their respective RDCs.
New RDCs were formed, and RDC councillors were elected based on the results of the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
Of the 10 RDCs across the country, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) secured chairmanship in eight regions, taking wins in Region One (Barima-Waini); Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); and Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo). We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) has the Regional Chairmanship in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The chair for Region 10 is to be sworn in at another date.
In Regions One, Two, Three, Five, and Six, the PPP/C took unanimous wins for the Chairman and VC positions.
PPP/C’s Bretnol Ashley was returned unopposed as Chairman for Region One (Barima-Waini), while PPP/C’s Paul Pierre was also elected unopposed as the Regional Vice Chairman.
In Region Two, Devin Mohan was elected as the new Regional Chairperson, and Humace Oodit was re-elected to serve as the Regional Vice Chairman.
In Region Three, where the PPP/C has 18 of the Council’s 27 seats, the PPP/C’s Inshan Ayube was returned unopposed as Chairman, while Anjanie Narine was also elected unopposed to the VC position.
In Region Four, PPP/C’s Clemsford Belgrave received 18 votes to be elected Chairman to the 35-seat council. This marked the first time since the establishment of the RDC in 1980 that a chairman from the PPP/C was elected. PPP/C’s Deoraj Nauth took the VC position.
In Region Five, Recardo Phillips was elected Chairman of Region Five, while Kleon Lindey was elected Vice Chairman. In Region Six, Junior Basant was nominated unopposed as Chairman, while Sahid Khan was similarly nominated unopposed as Vice Chairman.
In Region Seven, WIN candidates June Shurland Gittings and Alden Marslowe were elected as the Chair and VC, respectively.
In Region Eight, PPP/C’s Tercellia John and APNU’s Samantha John were elected to the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson positions.
In Region Nine another woman also took the Chairmanship position, with PPP/C’s Vania Elenie Albert being elected as the Chairperson. PPP/C’s Daniel Aguilar was elected as the VC.