– PNCR to hold internal talks
The motion to initiate mayoral polls for the city has been deferred, pending the outcome of talks within the PNCR after two of its members on the council acted on their own to force the vote.
At Monday’s statutory council meeting, GGG Councillor Llewellyn John, who moved the motion, successfully applied for a deferral to an unspecified later date. His application was seconded by PNCR Councillor Ranwell Jordan. John is also a member of the PNCR Region Four Executive, while Jordan held the mayoral post prior to Hamilton Green’s assumption of office in 1996. John said that the decision to move the motion was taken because the polls are long overdue.
But PNCR Councillor Oscar Clarke told reporters that the two moved the motion without the knowledge of the party’s executive which was yet to discuss the issue. “It’s a matter which requires internal discussions and those internal discussions have not taken place,” he said at the conclusion of the statutory meeting. “I, personally, as the leader of our group here, I said this is not the way to go about it. A decision like that has to be taken by the party.”
The motion to unseat Green raised eyebrows as the PNCR had vociferously opposed the mechanism that now empowers the local government minister to order the holding of mayoral and deputy mayoral polls at the request of a council. The recent amendment of the Local Authorities Election Act also allows the minister to unilaterally order the polls at any time for mayor, deputy mayor or chairman or deputy chairman of a local democratic organ.
Green said the legislation was passed with the aim of unseating him because of his opposition to the government. Although the deferral gave him a reprieve, Green could still have to face a vote.
Clarke yesterday explained that in principle, the PNCR supports the holding of annual polls for the posts, in keeping with the provisions of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01. He added that the party’s concern about the amendment was the power it now vests in the minister, who has to approve all requests from councils. “The introduction of this amendment in the parliament puts a different spin on it; [it] puts it in the minister’s purview to determine if and when,” he added.
Last week, by public notice, Local Government Minister Kellawan Lall invited local government organs to apply for approval to hold elections for mayors. It is almost certain that he will order the holding of polls as the administration has long expressed dissatisfaction with Green’s stewardship of the municipality.
Local government elections have been due since 1997. Since that time, the government and the main opposition PNCR have been attempting to hammer out agreements on local government reform in keeping with the recommendations of the constitutional reform process.
Green’s GGG party won 12 seats at the last municipal elections, while the PNC won 10 and the PPP/C eight. The GGG, however, has been factionalised over the years, lessening Green’s chances of winning the vote. Although Green has been readmitted into the PNCR, he said he is likely to contest the polls on the GGG slate.
This is what the PNC is about under Corbin. They are grabbing positions for themselves. Look at what Corbin has been cooperating with Jagdeo on: recall bill because of challenges from within his own party; mayoral elections to get rid of Hammie because he is not in league with Corbin. Nothing in the interest of the country. This idiot is destroying the party so he can be leader and make money and live large as opposition leader….the PNC supporters are no less dotish than the PPP’s. I truely believe that the real destroyer of the PNC was Hoyte. maybe he despised Burnham. he has destroyed everything of Burnham’s making….even in death with his anointing of the dumbass Corbin infront of Trotman, who incidentally sided with some youngsters who challenged Hoyte, as leader.
1. As per paragrah 2, how can Llewellyn John be a GGG City Councillor and a member of the PNCR Region Four Executive? And as per the last paragraph, can Green be readmitted to the PNCR and still contest the mayoral seat as a GGG representative? The ned for a purge of our politics is greater now than ever!
2. EXTRACTION: “The recent amendment of the Local Authorities Election Act also allows the minister to unilaterally order the polls at any time for mayor, deputy mayor or chairman or deputy chairman of a local democratic organ…It is almost certain that he will order the holding of polls as the administration has long expressed dissatisfaction with Green’s stewardship of the municipality.”
Isn’t this is keeping with the pattern of unilateralism we see emerging in the Jagdeo administration? The administration does not respect the citizens of Georgetown enough to allow the staging of constitutionally overdue LG Elections, but since it does not like Hammie Green, it decided to use its Parliamentary majority to empower the LG Minister to unilaterally stage elections whenever he wants to. This is Burnhamism all over again!
3. EXTRACTED: “Clarke yesterday explained that in principle, the PNCR supports the holding of annual polls for the posts, in keeping with the provisions of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01.”
Annual polls? Are LG Elections staged annually or are the ‘annual polls for the posts’ mentioned here restricted to the Georgetown Cuty Council that allows for the rotation of persons sitting in the mayoral seat?
All because of a struggle for political power, the people of Guyana, but especially the residents of Georgetown are being made to suffer. It is not just Hamilton Green who must be singled out as incompetent; so must the PPP and the PNC. They are all blame worthy for the fiasco playing out.
This is what the Georgetown City Council and the Guyana Government need to do – focus on the things that matter most to the capital city and the country in general (taking care of the garbage in the city and out lying areas of the country (and not on rigmarole political issues). Please see the attached link for details about what is being referenced:
Re: “Waste-to-energy firm Ze-gen piles up cash”
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10141498-54.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0
Mr. John is the region 4 rep on the CEC
we cant have it both ways,an impassse.the pnc boys,are they overzelous,or they dont understand the law.na,na they are just playing game with Hammie.they want hammie back in the pnc,without his fangs.
Ho Ho Ho. This the makings of more comedy skits!! Stay tuned!