Despite filing court proceedings challenging the appointments of the Mayor of Mabaruma and the chairmen of six Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, the PPP yesterday expressed its willingness to restart the negotiation process so as to resolve the situation in the interest of affected residents.
“The PPP…, is signalling its willingness to re-engage in negotiations with the Granger government over the resolution of the impasse of councils of the tied [Local Authority Areas] LAAs,” the party said in a statement which was read at its weekly press conference.
It stated that in April 2016, negotiations failed to resolve the impasse on the elections of Chair/Vice-Chair and Mayor/Deputy Mayor of the councils of tied LAAs.
“The negotiation failed because the Granger government declared an ultimatum of ministerial appointment if the PPP/C did not accept the Granger government position of non-rotation of the Chairman/Vice-Chairman and the Mayor/Deputy Mayor in the tied LAAs that would be shared,” the statement said adding that government’s position was that these proposed office-bearers would serve for the entire term of the Council.
“Those positions were not acceptable to the PPP/C and its non-acceptance lead to the Granger government moving to impose the office-bearers in all of the tied LAAs. Subsequent developments have led the PPP/C to propose and support revisiting negotiations between PPP/C and the Granger government over sharing the positions of principal office-bearers in the tied LAAs,” it said.
Among these developments, the party said is recognition of the plight of the residents of the tied LAA in not having a functional Council since the local government elections. The elections were held more than a month ago.
Another factor, the release said is Gecom’s failure to timely carry out its constitutional responsibilities of managing elections that statutorily are due whenever ties in the Councils of LAAs occur.
“Equally important was the decision of the Granger government to impose and execute their solution instead of negotiating and despite the wrong-doings that would ensue with ministerial appointment in contravention of the applicable laws.
The plight of the people at the grassroots will decide and justify the PPP/C’s subsequent position,” it said.
On April 6, Justice Dianne Insanally granted orders quashing Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan’s appointment of Henry Smith as the Mayor of Mabaruma as well as orders quashing his appointments of chairmen and vice chairmen for the Woodlands-Bel Air, Malgre Tout-Meer Zorgen, Gibraltar-Fyrish, Industry-Plaisance and Woodlands-Farm NDCs. In each of these areas the APNU and the PPP won the same number of seats.
The matter was filed by Attorney Anil Nandlall on behalf of PPP Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha.
