For the first time this year, a meeting of the Region Five Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was held without disruptions but also without APNU+AFC councillors present.
Over the past several months, RDC meetings have been disrupted as APNU+AFC councillors of Region Five continue to call for an apology from Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal over an alleged snub of President David Granger. The contretemps began after Ramphal was not in attendance at a handing over ceremony in the region, where the President was present. APNU+AFC councillors dubbed this as disrespectful to the president and have been disrupting statutory meetings ever since. The chairman’s explanation was that he was not invited to the ceremony.
At yesterday’s meeting, Vice-Chairman Rion Peters called on councillors to put aside their differences and work towards the betterment of the region. He said if the region is to be developed, councillors on both sides need to work together. According to Peters, if each community has representation at the regional level, it will be beneficial to everyone.