Clement Corlette was re-elected Chairman of Region 4 and Genevieve Allen was elected Vice-Chairman, after Regional Democratic Council (RDC) elections yesterday.
Corlette and Allen, both APNU nominees, were elected by the 35 councillors who gathered to cast their vote at the Regional Democratic Council Office. Belonging to the APNU, PPP and AFC were 19, 14 and 2 members, respectively. AFC members offered their support to Corlette and Allen.
During some brief remarks, Corlette thanked councillors for their proposed confidence and promised to be a chairman for all of them. He later told Stabroek News that he is hoping to have early discussions with the government to determine their position. “As I know it, the RDC has a mandate to help us to provide some level of guidance over the NDCs but now the ministry seems to be taking it back… It’s a blur now,” he indicated.
He stressed that more RDC involvement is needed in some of the decisions the government made in Region 4 and a more collaborative effort is required in this regard. The RDC, he said, is prepared to work on this.
Corlette noted that he would like to meet with the Minister of Local Govern-ment to discuss a few things and also to ask of his ministry to accommodate councillors at a meeting as early as possible.
When asked of his relationship with other members of council, Corlette stated that he has a good relationship with “the other guys” and assured that he will not be “too selfish”.
“I will share committees with the other parties. While they may not chair the exact committee they had in the last term, I’m definitely going to assign them with responsibilities of chairmanship of some committees so everybody must make a meaningful contribution,” he said.
Allen expressed similar sentiments and pledged to serve the region. She pointed out that although the councillors present are representing three different organizations, they are representing Region 4 and asked that they work together as a team for the development of the region.
Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary of the APNU Amna Ally noted that she is confident that the choice of chairman and vice-chairman is a good one. “I’m sure that they are going to work along with their councillors for the development of the region and I think that is what we need, development for the entire region,” she added.
Councillors are expected to meet on February 1 at 1:30pm to set the dates of statutory meetings and to discuss other business of the council.
