Latest update November 25th, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- ExxonMobil commences design for 7th project as Gov’t remains ‘iffy’ over approval
- Gov’t extends deadline for proposals on second phase of Gas-to-Energy project
- Hezbollah rockets land near Tel Aviv after big Israeli strike on Beirut
- 121 drivers nabbed speeding, 248 with unauthorised tinted glass
- Cop stabbed by Venezuelan national
Minister Amna Ally meets with Region 5 RDC
– to work towards further reconciliation
Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, on Friday, met with members of the Regional Democratic Council
Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally
(RDC) of Mahaica-Berbice, Region Five.
Minister Ally commended the officials for their positive response to President David Granger’s call for reconciliation. She further advised them that she will be working even closer with them in the future to support the strengthening of relationships among the members.
“My role here in Region Five is to guide you, to mentor you, to counsel you so that after today we can have a positive, smooth way forward,” Minister Ally said, at the meeting for the regional officials that was held at the RDC office, West Coast Berbice.
According to reports, the Minister expressed pleasure that initial steps of reconciliation were taken by the RDC, after a seven-month long conflict, which disrupted the smooth functioning of the office.
She said negative attitudes were at the root of the standoff and that respect must be practiced to safeguard against a recurrence.
“This is not about personalities. It’s about issues and that is what we must be mindful of. Putting our shoulders to the wheel to make sure that things happen, forgetting race, forgetting cultural differences, forgetting religious beliefs because while all of those exist and they are differences, they must not be barriers,” she said.
Minister Ally further noted that at this crucial time of identifying priority projects and budgeting, cooperation among members of the RDC is tantamount.
“I want peace. I want the coming together because it is only if you come together and you work together that we can move Region Five.
You have got to be a Region that is very progressive, we have to ensure that we do things the
Regional Chairman of Region Five RDC, Vickchand Ramphal
right way.”
Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal, and Regional Councillor, Carol Smith-Joseph contended that they were pleased by President Granger’s intervention in the stalemate and said that they are now looking forward to a good working relationship.
Mr. Ramphal urged councilors to unite. ”Let us work as a united team, as a united Region Five for the people of our region. Let us move Region Five together.”
Ms. Smith-Joseph said that she was “elated and buoyed” by the President’s mediation and by the behind-the-scenes interceding by Minister Ally.
She said that it brokered a deal that “serves to exhort all parties, to explore all avenues of social cohesion and good will aimed at working in harmony with one another for the betterment of the region”.
The Region Five Region Democratic Council was plagued by controversy over the last seven months and there seemed to be no solution in sight.
Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal, was accused of disrespecting President David Granger by being absent at the time of the President’s visit to the region.
The coalition members of the council were adamant that unless Ramphal offered an apology, be it oral or in writing, they would not recognize him as Chairman of the RDC, and so he was unable to chair meetings.
Ramphal on the other hand, stated that he did not mean to be disrespectful to President Granger, and had not offered an apology.
As a result of the controversy, the RDC of Region Five had been unable to deliberate on any matter for the year.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The business class also funds undemocratic parties
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- There’s a peculiar phenomenon in Guyana, a sort of cyclical ritual, where members of... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
