LOCAL democracy was once again restored to Rose Hall Town when councillors elected its fifth Mayor on March 30,the first since 2004.Rose Hall Town, Guyana’s smallest town located in East Berbice, Corentyne, like many other towns and NDCs was being run by an Interim Management Committees (IMC), but thanks to the Government’s promise and delivery of Local Government Elections, the town has now realised its duly elected Mayor in over 15 years.

The newly elected mayor is 52-year-old Vijay Kumar Ramoo, a resident of Rose Hall Town and businessman for over 20 years. Ramoo is the proprietor of Ramoo’s Funeral Home.

He was nominated by the members of the council and received nine out of 12 votes to get the nod ahead of Dave Budhoo, who was later elected deputy Mayor.

Ramoo said he decided to vie for a spot on the council because he had realised that leadership was lacking and feels he can make a difference for his fellow residents.

“I decided to run for office because I saw the need for good leadership in Rose Hall and I know for sure I will do whatever I can to make the town better.”

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, Ramoo outlined some of his immediate plans which include the regularising of vending at the Rose Hall Market, addressing the garbage situation and fixing bad roads.

“Some of the immediate things I will address are the vending situation at the market, work on the garbage situation that is a crisis at the moment and fix a lot of roads that need fixing several years now, lighting and security and drainage and irrigation.”
Ramoo said he also plans to tackle the sore point of revenue collection, which he said stands at a shocking 30%. “Revenue collection right now is starving, it is only 30% and we need to increase the revenue to get the things we plan achieved,” the new mayor stated.

Among some of his long-term plans is the desire to make Rose Hall a tourist destination and work along with his fellow businessmen and councillors to help further develop the town.

“As a businessman, I know that security is always on the top of the list and I plan to work with the police closely to ensure this town is safe and will also work to make it the town that everyone wants to come and invest in. We also want to make the beach a major tourist destination.”

Among the councillors sworn in to serve the town of Rose Hall were Dhanraj Samaroo, Nadira Samaroo , Veerasammy Permaul,Dave Budhu ,Terry Jagdat ,David Mortimer Fraser ,Elvis Fitzgerald Punch ,Jagatnarine Ramnauth ,Kamla Marrimoottoo ,Rookmin Nalini Ramcharran,Winston Emerson Hope and Godwyn Olanda Allicock .