By Tamica Garnett
RECEIVING resounding applause, 28-year-old People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member, Ubraj Narine, was, on Wednesday, unanimously re-elected as Mayor of Georgetown.
Fellow party member, Alfred Mentore was also unanimously returned as deputy mayor at the elections held at City Hall.
In the less than 20-minute nomination and election process, Councillor, Oscar Clarke was also re-elected chairman of the Council’s seven member Finance Committee, which includes Councilors Mentore, Trichia Richards, Yvonne Ferguson, Dawn Stewart, Ivelaw Henry and People’s Progressive Party Councillor, Bishram Kuppen.
Former Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green was not re-elected to the committee.
Narine, who first began his stint as mayor in January 2019, defined the past year as one of success and pledged that 2020 will be even better.
“We have had a year of success: signing of MoUs, clearing of debts, negotiations of contracts, purchase of new equipment. We met other mayors across the globe, fostered new relationships and partnerships, and paid gratuity. The year past, and come 2020, will be better than 2019. I urge us all to work together for a smooth flowing of 2020. To have more understanding, communication and dedication for the greater good and serve our people of this great City,” Narine said.
Following the elections, Alliance for Change (AFC) Councillor, Ayodele Roach, rose to commend the mayor and thanked him for what he has done across the City for the past year.
Narine first became a City Councilor after winning Constituency Two (Kitty north, Central & South & Subryanville), in the 2018 Local Government Elections, vying against four other candidates.
On Wednesday, Narine thanked the councillors and his party and all those who contributed to the improvements of the City over the past year.
“A year has passed already and I must say I could not have made it without my fellow councillors and officers who placed hand in hand to make this year what it was. We had our ups and downs, countless misunderstandings, disagreements and agreements. Yet we are here and yet we have had a year of success,” Narine expressed, before an audience that included PNCR Chairman, Volda Lawrence.
“To my party, the PNCR, I must say I want to thank my Chairman, General Secretary, his Excellency [President David Granger], and all member of the PNCR to have had that faith in me to lead the journey for a great life for all Guyanese.”
Also present for the proceedings was former Georgetown Mayor, Hamilton Green and Private Sector Commission Chairman, Gerry Gouveia. Green congratulated Ubraj on his re-election.
Both Narine and Mentore received 22 votes each during their respective elections. There were no votes against while four councilors abstained, in each case. Those abstaining included PPP councillors, Dimitri Alli, Dwayne Adams and Bishram Kuppen.
The voting took place by show off hands, as per motion successfully moved by Councillor Heston Bostwick at the beginning of the proceedings. As per custom, the election of mayor was the first order of business when the meeting opened at 14:00hrs, chaired by acting Town Clerk, Sherry Gerrick.
As nominations commenced, Narine was quickly nominated by Mentore. The nomination was seconded and a motion was swiftly moved, and successfully passed, for nominations to close. Gerrick then declared Narine mayor and he took up his position at the head of the horse-shoe table.
Successfully installed as mayor, Narine then took up his position as Chairman of the meeting and opened the floor for nominations of deputy mayor. Mentore was quickly nominated by Councillor Denroy Tudor. This was seconded and again a motion was then successfully passed for nominations to close.
