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Sooba evicted from City Hall…
– Council says removal will facilitate investigation into alleged misappropriation
Drama unfolded inside the Chambers of City Hall yesterday as Town Clerk (Ag), Carol Sooba was sent on immediate administrative leave.
A visibly disturbed Sooba was escorted out of City Hall, compliments of a no-confidence motion favoured by several members of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC).
Acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba taking a final glance at M&CC vehicle after handing over the keys
The controversial acting Town Clerk left the Municipality amidst votes of approval from members of the Council and loud cheers from curious onlookers, who converged at City Hall to witness the occurrence.
City Mayor, Hamilton Green, said that the move was to facilitate an investigation into allegations of misappropriation of funds, which reportedly occurred under Sooba’s watch.
According to the Council, these include a waiving of $27 million in interest for a property in Georgetown without the knowledge and fiat of the duly elected Mayor and City Council; the payment of fees to an Attorney in excess of $1 million, for extraneous matters, not approved by Council.
Both Mayor Green and Deputy Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, noted that the Council had long expressed no confidence in Sooba, who took control of the administrative functions of City Hall under the PPP Administration and refused to carry out orders of the Council.
For years, Green and Sooba have been butting heads over the administration of the City
Sooba‘s only transport option as she departed City Hall‘s compound, yesterday.
Council. Sooba’s appointment as Town Clerk had been fiercely objected to, with critics claiming that she was not qualified for the position.
Sooba had also been accused of being placed within the Council by the then ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administrative to hinder the Council’s administration.
Yesterday, the M&CC officials instructed Sooba to proceed on administrative leave “post haste” to allow the Council to manage the Municipality without any further and unnecessary intrusions.
But the acting Town Clerk did not give up her post without a fight. Citing an ongoing court case over her appointment, Sooba argued that the Council was “out of order” in their decision to send her on administrative leave.
She opined that the Council had made her the subject of “a witch hunt” given that it was the first statutory meeting since the APNU/AFC Government assumed office.
Only a few members of the Council shared this sentiment and supported Sooba. They too described the actions of the M&CC management as racist.
Given her blatant stance, a directive was issued to have the acting Town Clerk, escorted out of the building by ranks of the City Constabulary.
Sooba was also ordered to hand over all the Council’s properties including the keys to a vehicle, she once utilized as acting Town Clerk.
“I am protesting…I am being assaulted,” she yelled as ranks closed in to have her removed.
But with no other choice left, the Town Clerk promptly packed her belonging and left the building in the presence of officers.
Leaving the confines of City Hall yesterday, Sooba handed over the keys of the Council’s vehicle to one of the escorting ranks. She was heard requesting a taxi before jumping into the back seat of a car which was parked in the City Hall compound.
Her departure was greeted with loud cheers and shouts of “good riddance” by curious onlookers, who gathered at the northern gate of the Municipality to witness the occurrence.
A public missive was subsequently issued on behalf of the Council apologising for the unbecoming behaviour of Sooba.
“We, at Council, are looking forward to a regime of quiet and progress, as we propose to work with local communities to advance the specific and general interests of the city of Georgetown. It is time to move forward and rebuild the city of Georgetown.”
Reiterating its position the statement outlined that all that the Council did today (yesterday) was to activate a motion which was tabled and passed in March 2015.
“The motion required Ms. Sooba to proceed on administrative leave to facilitate a forensic investigation into a number of alleged illegalities and improprieties. Council will immediately begin investigations into all alleged improprieties by Sooba,” the release said
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