Sooba will continue to perform duties as Town Clerk

Sooba will continue to perform duties as Town Clerk – Minister

Apr 12, 2014 News

– Mayor rejects notion, looking for replacement

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker has stated that Carol Sooba will continue to perform the duties of Town Clerk within the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC), despite the Supreme Court ruling, which was handed down by Chief Justice Ian Chang.

Carol Sooba

However, Mayor Hamilton Green says after consultation with the majority of Councilors, the position being advocated by Minister Whittaker is stalwartly rejected.
In a letter to Minister Whittaker, the Mayor described the decision for Sooba to continue in an acting capacity as Town Clerk as “reductio ad absurdum” stating that the Mayor and Councilors have already taken steps to deal with the fact that her (Sooba’s) appointment was ultra virus.
He posited that it is now left to the Council to recommend the person they consider fit to carry out the duties of Town Clerk pending further action.
On Thursday Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang ruled that the Minister does not have the power to appoint any person in a substantive position within the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.
The Chief Justice however, ruled that while Sooba’s appointment was “legally defective, “his decision did not
prevent her from continuing to perform the functions of Town Clerk in a “de facto” capacity.
In a letter to the Mayor yesterday, Minister Whittaker informed the Council of its position on the matter and outlined his expectations for compliance.
The Minister outlined that “Mr. Chang did caution that it needed a direct challenge by quo warranto, to the authority of Ms. Sooba to bring her de facto to an end.
“ Under the circumstances set out…be informed that Ms. Carol Sooba continues to perform the duties as Town Clerk of the Georgetown Municipality; albeit in an acting position and the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development (ag) expects that the Mayor and the Council would understand and accept this ruling , having regard to the fact that decisions of the Chief Justice can be appealed”
However, Deputy Mayor of the Georgetown M&CC, Patricia Chase Greene noted that while Council welcomes the ruling of the Chief Justice, they have noted the technicality with regards to the outcome.
“We understand that there is some technicality with the ruling. However the Council will be seeking further legal advice on the way forward in this regard.
Sooba was officially appointed Town Clerk by the Guyana Government on December 4, despite several objections about her lack of qualifications for the post.
Following her appointment, Public Relations Officer of the Mayor and City Council, Royston King moved to the High Court, challenging her appointment. King had also applied for the Town Clerk position. He was represented by Attorney – at – Law Nigel Hughes.