There is still no functioning Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) five months after the official declaration of the results from the March 2 Regional Elections.
“Nothing is happening,” a resident told this newspaper yesterday.
Last month Stabroek News reported that two attempts to swear in the elected members of the RDC had failed and a date for a third meeting was still to be set.
This newspaper has since learnt that this date has not been set and the political management of the Region remains in limbo.
Attempts to reach Regional Executive Officer Mitzy Campbell over the last two weeks to ascertain the reason behind the delay have proved futile.
Campbell in her capacity as clerk of the RDC is legally required to convene a meeting of the Council to elect a Chair and Vice Chair who will then manage the affairs of the region.
The first attempt to convene this meeting failed after several designated councillors tested positive for COVID-19, while the second was derailed when Campbell cancelled a November 11th meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).
At the time Campbell told Stabroek News that the meeting was postponed because two of the 15 councillors “had emergencies”. She declined to name the councillors affected but added that all councillors will be informed of the date of the re-scheduled meeting once it is decided.
In December, Campbell told Sunday Stabroek that a meeting would be scheduled “as soon as I get word”
Asked about what or from who this “word” would be coming, Campbell said she would not be commenting.
According to the Alliance for Change (AFC) the word Campbell is waiting on relates to the replacement of the Councillor for the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Jimmy James.
AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan has repeatedly stated that James’ refusal to support a PPP/C candidate for Chairperson and Vice Chairperson has led to the delayed appointments as well as attempts to have him replaced. James hold the balance of power on the council.
“The matter is now at [the Guyana Elections Commission],” he said during a press conference in December.
APNU representative Amna Ally also indicated to this newspaper that she has been informed that efforts are underway to have James removed as a councillor.
Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myer however told Stabroek News yesterday that “the commission does not have properly before it any request for a change of councillor in Region 8 from the LJP party”
