Allicock admonishes Bethany Village Council:  ‘Get your books in order’

Residents of Bethany at the village meeting. (DPI photo)
Residents of Bethany at the village meeting. (DPI photo)

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock has called on the Bethany Village Council in Pomeroon-Supenaam to ensure proper management and accountability for village assets in which millions of dollars were invested. 

The Department of Public Information (DPI) stated that Allicock met with the village council yesterday and underscored the importance of the council’s financial books being updated on time and presented to the relevant persons.

Deputy Toshao, Banes Thomas and councillors have alleged that the Toshao of the village, Philbert Gudge, has been working independently and making decisions on major projects without consulting them. They also allege that he is partial when awarding contracts for village works and claimed that the treasurer has not been updating his books correctly. Based on these allegations, the minister was written to, requesting that he intervene.

Allicock warned, “Accountability is crucial, and the Toshaos are aware of this… this is serious, you have to put your books order.”