Residents of Kwakwani plan to hold polls to elect a 15-member committee to manage the affairs of the community in lieu of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) that was recently installed by government to replace the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).
This decision for the polls—to be held on September 5—was taken after the idea was proposed by regional leaders last evening at a public meeting and consultation at the Kwakwani workers club auditorium.
A team of regional leaders, including Region Ten Chairman Sharma Solomon, Vice-Chairman Byron Lewis, several regional councillors and Regional Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon travelled to the community for the meeting and consultation with residents, where the imposition of the IMC, which sparked a series of protest actions, was at the top of the agenda.
Solomon, who apologised to residents for being unable to visit the area at an earlier date, said he was closely following the issues and he proposed the process that would allow them to exercise their democratic right in electing a body to run the affairs of the NDC. “This is an idea that is being put forward to you. It is up to you to go with it or for you to choose to stay with the existing body,” he said, adding “There will be no imposition by me or any other leader, not even this government.”
Following the installation of the IMC, for which Sachi Parvatan was named as Chairperson, residents of Kwakwani had engaged in several protest actions, including vigils and several community meetings.
Five residents named as members of the IMC had called on the Local Government Minister to have their names removed because they were not previously consulted.
Residents had also been calling for the removal of the Deputy Regional Executive Officer Devon Bremner, who, Stabroek News was reliably informed, has since vacated the position. To show their disapproval, residents had removed the stairs of the regional office, sealed the doors and chained the gate, thereby barring Bremner from entering. Leola Narine has since been appointed Assistant Regional Executive Officer and is likely to be sent to work in Kwakwani.
Parvatan was accused of refusing to open the doors of the market, which residents subsequently broke open and replaced the locks. “That IMC ain’t running things here and we will show them that,” said one resident. They described the imposition of the IMC as a devious act of the Government to dictate, divide and rule. “We are not standing for that,” said another resident.
Solomon said that the 18-member Regional Democratic Council will travel to the area to witness the elections. “You need to take time and come up with at least 30 names, from which you will select the 15 best to serve you,” he said, adding that it was a shame that residents were not afforded the opportunity to exercise their democratic right, since the last local elections was held in 1994.
Last night’s meeting was not without confrontation and on several occasions MP Kissoon was forced to take to the microphone and bring the meeting to order. Each time persons perceived to be members of the PPP/C attempted to make a statement, they were booed from the microphone and their comments were challenged.
Members of the IMC also took part. As community leader Jocelyn Morian, who chaired the evening’s programme, made reference to the poor welfare system, noting that a 13-year-old was impregnated and no legal action was taken to the best of his knowledge, Parvatan questioned the appropriateness of raising the issue. “That is not for here. Who is you to talk about people business here? This meeting is not for that,” she said, with the support of IMC councillor Kay Ford and a few others.
Solomon spoke at length about the protest which recently ended in Linden and said that the fight was one for Region Ten and by extension the wider Guyana. “It’s time leaders see themselves as servants of the people and develop a passion to address the needs of citizens,” he said, while noting the positions that were advanced to the government, including the proposed strategy for economic development across the region, the reclamation of the TV channel and the decision to extend broadcast signals to areas including Ituni and Kwakwani and lobbying for residents and investors to have access to land and concessions.
“People tell themselves that because we are simple and quiet they think they can push their fingers in our eyes but eye-pass must done now,” Lewis told residents.
MP Kissoon, who received loud rounds of applause throughout her brief remarks, encouraged residents to emulate the spirit of Lindeners, while emphasising the stands necessary to be taken to have their rights respected and that they get justice.
