New PPP/C Chairman offers Opposition olive branch
RECENTLY elected Chairman of Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne),  Mr. David Permaul Armogan has promised never to betray the confidence of President Donald Ramotar while extending an olive branch to members of the opposition even as he vowed to work in unity and harmony for the benefit of the Region.
Making his inaugural speech in the Regional Boardroom shortly after being unanimously elected to replace Mr. Zulficar Mustapha, Armogan, on Wednesday, declared that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will not tolerate any form of corruption from any of its members, noting that, once persons are prepared to work together, the Region will move forward.
Currently a successful businessman, who specialises in marine transportation and deals in sand, stone and lumber in the ‘Ancient County’, he was previously a Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Personnel Manager.
He acknowledged that the task ahead will not be easy as everyone cannot be pleased and criticism will be in order. However, he pointed out that things can only be accomplished by having the required resources available.
Armogan, nevertheless, pledged to work faithfully to ensure that the lives of the people in the Region are improved. Being aware of the politics, as such he extended a hand of unity to the opposition and said, once their proposals are put forward with civility and decorum.
He told the gathering, including Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr. Robert Persaud, other Members of Parliament (MPs), Dr. V. Mahadeo and Mr. F. Jafarally; executive members of the opposition parties and outgoing Chairman Mustapha as well as persons from the community, that, having served in the capacity of a Regional Councillor for 14 years, the opportunity of serving in the chairmanship had passed him on many occasions.
Armogan said, however, he never had the desire to occupy it until he was asked by President Ramotar, having previously occupied positions as Head of the Regional Education Committee, Chairman of the Berbice Regional Health Authority and the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, Member of  the New Amsterdam Multilateral School Board, the Regional Tender Board and twice Past President of the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam.
Meanwhile, the Regional Vice-Chairman is another People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) stalwart, Mr. Bhupaul Jhagroo, who received all 17 votes from the Government side of the RDC.
Alliance For Change (AFC) member, Ms. Donna Mathoo was proposed by her peers on the opposition bench but  secured only 13 votes, allowing Jhagroo to win the election.
Jhagroo, a farmer, who is new to the RDC, is from Ma Retraite, East Bank Berbice and had held positions of convenor of the District Land Selection Committee and Chair of the Lower Corentyne/ Canje District Board of Guardians, among others.

Positive changes
Offering congratulations during the mid-morning ceremony, Minister Persaud said the positive changes within  the area come at a time when the Region is on the cusp of development.
He said his ministry has targeted Region 6 for new economic ventures, primarily the drilling for oil by the Canadian company, CGX.
Another well-wisher, Ms. Edith Bynoe said her presence was because of being Guyanese and a resident of Tucber Park, in New Amsterdam. The middle-aged former parliamentarian expressed a slight disappointment over the non-acceptance of Mathoo by the majority of councillors.
“One would have thought that Ms. Mathoo would have been given a chance as a woman. Women are deep thinkers and, as long as a woman has the ability, she should be allowed to serve. This is not Georgetown. In Berbice, we the people laugh, share and mourn together. What has occurred in Georgetown should not be adopted here. Nevertheless, I do hope that this Council will serve the entire Berbice, including New Amsterdam, as the other municipalities in the Region were previously served,” said Bynoe.
Among other persons offering congratulatory remarks were the MPs and some Government and Opposition Councillors.
The PPP/C has the majority 17 seats in the RDC, with nine new faces, including Jhagroo, Warren Atoesho Barlow, Anil Deodat Beharry, Gloria Patricia Beharry, Paul Silas Bennett, Ahilia Ramcharran, Phillip Rose and Bevon Holford Sinclair.
The AFC garnered seven seats including six new, among them Mathoo, Erwin Abdullah, Manbode Balgobin, Michael Hintzen, Mohamad Mooksha and Haseef Yusuf and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has six seats, three occupied by new members Agnes Leonie Mc Donald, Reerakraj Poonai and Jevaughn Stephens.