says Kwame McCoy
The suspension of Regional Democratic Council (RDC) councillor, Kwame McCoy, from the RDC by Region Four (Demerara/ Mahaica) Chairman Clement Corlette, has been described as a breach of the constitution.
At a press briefing yesterday at Freedom House, hosted by McCoy, he said that the Regional Chairman’s attitude is “dictatorial and autocratic.”
“The suspension is bogus,” he asserted.
McCoy explained that due process was not adhered to and pointed out that the motion for his suspension was raised under the agenda item ‘Any other Business’ rather than the section where such motions are provided for.
In addition, he pointed out that the motion for his suspension was seconded by one councillor, Mr. Anthony Haynes, who had been absent from the previous meeting and therefore could make no informed decision on the suspension.
“Mr. Corlette accepted a motion, albeit with procedural flaws, from his PNCR councillor to suspend me for 90 days from the council,” he said.
McCoy dubbed the actions of Corlette and those in support of him as a vengeful effort to silence the views of the ruling administration by a group whose majority is made up by representatives of the People’s National Congress Reform.
“It is not about an individual. It is about forcing the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) into retreat…If you shut up the most vocal of the lot, then you will be shutting up the party,” he said.
A release issued by the RDC after McCoy’s suspension stated that the councillors “expressed serious concern over the persistent disrespect shown at RDC meetings by councillor Kwame Warren McCoy and his attitude of disregard to the direction of the regional chairman.”
Also it stated that McCoy is currently serving a 90-day suspension from the council following the passing of a motion which was voted for by the majority of councillors at a statutory meeting of the RDC.
However, McCoy says he stands firm in saying that he remains a councillor of the RDC in Region Four.
While the RDC councillor said the ongoing issue between him and the Regional Chairman is not a clash of personalities, he made clear that he is in for a “ding dong battle” with anyone who wants to refuse him his rights as a councillor.
“Corlette’s leadership is of imbecilic value to Region Four and we need to address this.”
In addressing Corlette’s leadership, McCoy stated that as a part of the accountability mechanism, the RDC councillors have a right to highlight the shortcomings of RDC officials.
“We are all elected to serve Region Four and therefore the people of Region Four are deserving of quality and good leadership…They are not getting that leadership from the Chairman who is supposed to be a figurehead in the Region,” he posited.
He added that it is “shameful and unfortunate” to admit that Corlette is creating distractions because of his misinterpretation of his role and responsibilities as Chairman of the RDC.
“He is not willing to function within the confines of the law, as is obvious on a daily basis, with his usurping of the functions of officers, his intolerance of challenges, opposing views and opinions,” McCoy said.
He pointed out that though it is not highlighted, PNCR councillors and Corlette have similar fall-outs, a testimony to Corlette’s desire for authority and control.
“This is the arrogance we see from Corlette…We will continue to speak out. We will continue to speak out against the illegalities that Corlette is involved in and we will continue to highlight instances where he attempts to exercise dictatorial and autocratic behaviour on us councillors,” he opined.
McCoy’s views were supported by other PPP/C RDC councillors and Member of Parliament, Mr. Neil Kumar.
Kumar made it clear that the supporters interested in the matter are prepared to go to court, even though he declined to clarify whether the case would be the PPP/C Region Four Councillors versus Corlette, or Kwame McCoy versus Corlette.