…with Byron Lewis as new Vice-Chairman
THIRTY-TWO-YEAR OLD A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Regional Democratic Councillor, Mr. Kuice Sharma Solomon, was yesterday elected unopposed as the new Regional Chairman of Region 10, Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice, when the 7th Council of the RDC met in the boardroom in Mackenzie Linden. The new councillors, 15 from APNU, two from the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and two from the Alliance For change (AFC) took office in the presence of Leader of the Opposition and APNU leader  David Granger and outgoing Regional Chairman Mr. Mortimer Mingo. The election was supervised by Regional Executive Officer Ms. Yoland Hilliman, who performed duties as the Clerk of the Council, while others attending included Members of Parliament Pastor Renis Morian and Ms Vanessa Kissoon .
While Solomon was elected  without any opposition, the position for Regional Vice Chairman had two councillors from APNU being nominated, Leslie Gonsalves and Byron Lewis.
Lewis, who hails from Kwawkani in Sub Region 2, where that office is normally stationed, was elected to serve in that capacity.
Leader of the Opposition Brigadier (Ret.) Granger spoke highly of the expectations of Mr. Solomon and commended him for taking up the challenge of that office.
Others who congratulated Mr. Solomon and all those who will be serving this 7th Council were past Regional Chairman Mr. Mortimer Mingo, Members of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon and Pastor Renis Morian, immediate past Vice Chairman Samuel Hooper and other councillors.
Solomon, speaking after his election, said Region 10 is ready to take its rightful place among the regions of Guyana.
He said, “The people that supported the movement that got me here did not do it just out of excitement; rather it was because you understand that a change in direction is much needed. The challenges ahead will be tall; we are faced with high unemployment, limited production of our own food, a deliberate information restriction being placed on us, a push for improved education standards, health, recreational facilities and so many more.”
He continued, “It’s a long road ahead, the challenges will be many. I am not here to work miracles. It’s a process that will take some time. But I am hopeful that, together, all 41,000 plus residents of this resilient region will realise our manifest destiny. I promise you that together, we will get there.”

Leader of the Opposition ,Brigadier (Ret.) David Granger first expressed his gratitude to the former Chairman Mortimer Mingo and the former Vice Chairman Mr. Samuel Hooper, and all the former members of the council for their years of service.
He stated “I would like to congratulate the new members of the Council from all parties, and particularly the Chairman and Vice Chairman on their election and installation this morning. Today the 25th of January is the day of transition for the upper Demerara/Upper Berbice region.”
Granger observed: “In the twinkling of an eye you have moved from the personal to the public. In the twinkling of an eye you have moved from the private to the regional. In the twinkling of an eye you have more(moved)from individual interest to the collective interest.”
The Opposition Leader noted: “We are no longer members of individual parties, we are the servants of the Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice region. And we must make that clear and we must remember that. When we come into this room we are members of one region. We may fight here, but when we leave here, the regional interest must be paramount. When you come into this room it must be a place of discussion, it must be a place of deliberation. It must be a place of decision-making, that when you leave this room, you must all be committed to making Region 10 one of the best regions, in this country.
Former Chairman Mortimer Mingo, in his remarks, said, “It is indeed a great pleasure of mine to be here this morning to witness the swearing-in of the Councillors to the 7th Council of the RDC of Region 10 and to also witness the election of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the RDC of Region 10. Let me sincerely congratulate the Chairman and the Vice Chairman on your election of this high and important office here in Region 10.”
Mr. Mingo then advised: “The business of council is to be of service to the people who have elected you all to this office.”
Apart from Mr. Solomon and Mr. Lewis the other councillors are, for APNU Ms. Mayfil Green, Mr. Leon Barret, Mr. Maurice Butters, Franklyn Augustus Carew, Stanley McKinley Collins, Ms. Diana Dolphin, Mr. Douglas Charles Gittens, Mr. Leslie Ransford Gonsalves, Mr. Charles Clarence Sampson, Mr. Gerald Whittington, and Naomi Alexandria Xavier; the PPP/C councillors are Ms. Carmen Leslyn Rambarran, Mr. Phillip Noel Fordyce and Mr. Compton Ovid Fraser; and the AFC Councillors are Mr. Elroy Adolph and Mr. Audwin Rutherford.