Latest update December 31st, 2024 3:30 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Local Govt. Commission pussyfooting with City Hall COI recommendations

Jan 04, 2019 News

The Local Government Commission (LGC) appears to be delaying carrying out the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, (COI) conducted into the operations of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC).
A source close to the Commission confirmed with this newspaper that the LGC is not ready to act on the recommendations, even though it has been in receipt of the report several weeks now.
The source claimed that certain issues of national importance have been part of the delay.
“We had the issue of the no-confidence motion and this is accompanied by the Christmas season, where some of the officials are on leave, so any action on report will have to wait until the commission is properly constituted,” the source claimed.
The CoI report was handed over on November 30, last, by Commissioner Justice Cecil Kennard (ret’d) to Chairman of the Local Government Commission (LGC), Mortimer Mingo. The CoI found grounds for some terminations and for criminal proceedings to be instituted, and investigations to be pursued against several senior city officials.
The report obtained by Kaieteur News indicated that other senior officers be terminated for their poor management of the affairs of the city; and that where irregularities are found, criminal investigation and charges be laid against defaulting officers.
In light of the findings, the CoI recommends that there be further investigations in the form of a forensic audit to be conducted by the Audit Office of Guyana.
The report calls for officers to be disciplined even as that audit is being conducted.
The senior officers listed included Town Clerk Royston King, who was sent on leave to facilitate the CoI. King is cited for gross misconduct, abuse of office, recklessness, dishonesty, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds.
Also listed in the report are Acting Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe who is cited for dereliction of duty and incompetence; Assistant Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick, for dereliction of duty and incompetence; Internal Auditor, Omodele Umojo-Newton for incompetence and conspiracy; Chief Constable, Andrew Foo for dereliction of duty and incompetence; Human Resources Manager, Paulette Braithwaite for incompetence; City Engineer, Colvern Venture for incompetence and dereliction of duty; and Rashid Kelman for conspiracy.
Further, the report noted that City Treasurer, Ron Mc Calmont, should proceed on early retirement, as he is unwell.
Last month, Chairman Mingo told Kaieteur News that the Commission is deliberating on the 31 recommendations contained in the report.
“We are taking a serious look at these recommendations and categorizing accordingly,” he said noting that in addition to administrative matters, the recommendations for criminal investigation is being given serious consideration.
Mingo noted that while the public will be anxiously awaiting the LGC to act on the recommendations, the process will take some time.
“We will keep the public informed as we go along,” he asserted.
Added to that, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan told the National Assembly during scrutiny of the 2019 budgetary allocations that Government will allow the Local Government Commission to work unhindered on the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry into City Hall.
“They are the ones who will be making the determination as to which of the recommendations in the CoI they will act on,” Bulkan told the National Assembly.
“I don’t propose that the Ministry will be a hindrance in that process.”

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Keevin Allicock – the next torchbearer for Guyanese professional boxing

Keevin Allicock – the next torchbearer for Guyanese professional...

Dec 31, 2024

By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports- In the rich tapestry of Guyanese sports, few names shine as brightly as Keevin Allicock. A prodigious talent with the rare blend of skill, charisma, and grit, Allicock...
Read More
Guyana Harpy Eagles begin Fitness Preparation for 2025 CWI Regional Four-Day Tournament

Guyana Harpy Eagles begin Fitness Preparation for...

Dec 31, 2024

The business end has arrived, a place in the final is at stake tomorrow night

The business end has arrived, a place in the...

Dec 31, 2024

Thirteen-year-old benefits from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

Thirteen-year-old benefits from Project...

Dec 31, 2024

Milerock stop Winners Connection 9-3 behind Drakes 5 goal spree, Botafago humble Capital Fc 8-3

Milerock stop Winners Connection 9-3 behind...

Dec 31, 2024

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO against Ramirez

Dharry reigns supreme with second-round KO...

Dec 30, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]