Dear Editor,

LAST Thursday, 21st July, the Region Five Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was once again prevented from conducting its statutory meeting. This is as a result of a misconception between the APNU+AFC councillors and the PPP Regional Chairman on a matter that has no place in the formal business of the Council.Councillors are elected to develop and manage programmes on behalf of the citizens of the region, and this they must do, and be allowed to do. The issue that led to the present impasse has no place on the RDC’s formal agenda. To be demanding an apology for not attending a function that is not on the official business agenda and programme of the region is ludicrous.
If the chairman did not attend statutory meeting(s) of the council, he is duty bound by the rules to make an excuse, or if possible, be censored for not doing so. The unrelenting demand for an apology on a matter that is not guided by any rule, and the protracted disruption of the region’s business are matters of concern.

On Thursday last, the protesting councillors chose to dress in African outfits at a period leading up to the emancipation of African slaves. By their manner of dress, they are now communicating that this matter has moved beyond that of a nonsensical apology to that of race. The new posture is communicating that Africans will not allow the Indian chairman to work unless he apologises to an African president.

This is an act of pitting race against race, and cannot be allowed to continue at a time when officials of the government are talking about inclusivity and social cohesion.

The intellectual authors — who are stoking and condoning this type of conduct while walking around and talking about social cohesion — are failing to put in place systems to ensure the races co-exist in peace and harmony, and treat each other with dignity and respect.

This opportunity is taken to make a few historical facts known: Africans, having fought for hundreds of years for their freedom, when this was finally achieved on the 1st August 1838, pooled their pennies, which their carried in wheelbarrows and in every available container, to buy up plantations and convert them to villages, thus setting in place a system of self-government. This, the first system of local government, though initially not recognised in the formal system, later came to lay the groundwork for the establishment of local government authorities.

From local government, Guyanese fought for, and achieved, national government in 1966; and regional government was made possible in 1980. This is the legacy of this nation’s development, and Africans have played significant roles in its formation. This legacy should not today be treated with contempt at the behest of those whose interests are guided by the acquisition and abuse of power.

The regional chairman, by his non-attendance at the handing over event of buses to the region, has committed no infraction in the discharge of his official duty. The RDC should therefore not be hindered from executing its constitutional duty based on a non-issue. Good sense must prevail on the part of all.

Taxpayers, citizens, workers, those who do business with this region, and all Guyana should be concerned about this ugly turn of events. What is happening at the Region Five RDC has no bearing on governance to deserve disrupting the function of regional government. If the PPP/C councillors or government had done this, they would have equally heard from me. Right is right and wrong is wrong.

LINCOLN LEWIS