Dear Editor,

The behaviour of Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette is dictatorial and autocratic. It is instructive to note Minister of Local Government Kellawan Lall’s comment about the Regional Chairman, as published on March 5 in  Kaieteur News, “Mr Corlette is out of his league, he is more concerned about control rather than looking after the business of the region, which is his job whether he is PNC or PPP, or whether the majority of the Council is ruled by the opposition or the ruling party, it does not matter.’’

Little is achieved with people who seek control, especially with them being at the helm which provides greater opportunities for their preoccupation with being the boss, and with power and dominance. Mr Corlette’s behaviour causes disruptions at council meetings because councillors, especially me, refuse to be stifled, suppressed and dictated to every step of the way. As an elected official, the residents of Region Four do not expect me to be a passive participant of the council. I have always argued that Mr Corlette’s concentration on ‘control’ has negatively affected the progress of the region. The Regional Chairman and councillors should be concerned more about ensuring that services get to the residents of Region Four by working together with the administrative officers, instead of attempting to usurp their functions.

The laws clearly spell out the role, functions and responsibilities of the elected officials of the RDCs as against their officers. There is no need for conflict over ‘control,’ which Mr Corlette allows to become the subject at every opportunity. Mr Corlette operates his own system of government in the region, which represents his own world, poor interpretation of the laws of Guyana and one-sided approaches, contrary to the intention of those who conceptualized local democracy.

The Regional Chairman would not get by me with his outdated ways in such modern times. I will remain firm in demanding that he conform to the laws that govern the RDC.

Yours faithfully,
Kwame McCoy
Councillor
RDC Region Four