Nomination Day for Local Government Elections (LGE) in Region Six went off smoothly yesterday with no major issues, according to the contesting parties.
PPP/C candidates for New Amsterdam are confident that they will win over the township which is well-known as an APNU stronghold.
Regional Chairman, David Armogan, who was a part of the team that submitted the list for the New Amsterdam Municipality at the GECOM office in New Amsterdam, told reporters that there was a smooth start to the day. Later in the day, other party officials reported that no hiccup was experienced.
Jevaughn Stephens, Election Agent representing APNU yesterday said that his party was the first to submit their list at the GECOM office. Also dubbing the process a smooth one, he confirmed that they are contesting all three municipalities within the region adding that they were also the first to submit their list at Corriverton.
According to Stephens, they are looking to “continue the progress we have started when APNU went in the government in 2015 we started a number of projects in New Amsterdam, unfortunately, we weren’t there to continue or see through.”
He said that with newly-elected members – “new faces” – they are hopeful that new ideas will be taken to the council, stressing that they want to see all residents of the township benefit.
Appearing on the PPP/C New Amsterdam list is a sitting town councillor for APNU, Esan Vanderstoop.
Vanderstoop yesterday told Stabroek News, that it would be “naive” to ignore the development and transformation that has been occurring under the PPP/C government within the country.
As chairman of the council’s Works Committee, Vanderstoop opined that some persons within the council are anti-development and so he thought it best to throw his support behind the PPP/C. “The (PPP/C) government come on board and tell you straight and I want to see New Amsterdam transformed. There is a whole host of things to happen. People want development.”
Questioned about what the feedback has been like from residents, Vanderstoop said that presently there is a “movement in New Amsterdam” with residents being open to supporting and voting for the PPP/C.
Nicole Luther, who is representing the PPP/C in Constituency Six in New Amsterdam, explained that she decided to get on board because she believes that there is a need for “change” within the township.
She said if she is to earn a seat at the table one of her main projects would be enhancing the community and community development works.
Luther who was previously a supporter of APNU said that she was assisting that party with her “management skills”, however, they could not keep up with her pace and so she joined the PPP/C as “she wants to make a change and see development.”
According to her, she has met residents within her constituency and was given the assurance of their support, “they are very happy that I am onboard with this current government, the PPP/C.”
She stated, “The PPP party is a party that is moving… There will be many changes, we have a lot of developmental plans in place…”
APNU Councillor for New Amsterdam, Quacy Isaacs, who reappeared on APNU’s list, yesterday told Stabroek News, that he is looking forward to returning to the council as he still has a commitment to continue the projects which they have embarked on.
According to him, they carried out major works on the Esplanade Ground and slaughterhouse in New Amsterdam. He said, despite persons seemingly switching sides elections day will show that “New Amsterdam still supports the APNU.”
Meanwhile, in East Canje Berbice, the PPP/C was the first to submit their list for the Canefield/Enterprise NDC. Councillor, Alicia Dowridge, 25, who is one of the young candidates reappearing on that list said, that she is looking forward to continuing the work they have started within the NDC.
According to her, major improvements were carried out on the roads and drainage among other areas.
Also contesting that area is an independent candidate, Krishandai Garib, who noted that it was a bit tough to submit her list on her own. Garib, a former APNU councillor, said, “I feel if I won a seat I will go for women, single mothers, widows, young women.”
