Dear Editor,
Please refer to letter which was published in the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, February14, 2018, captioned: Duncan signals no confidence motion against the Town Clerk.

At the statutory meeting held on Monday February 12, 2018. The Town Clerk Royston King informed the House that both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were out of the jurisdiction and it was imperative that the Councillors select someone from among them to chair the day’s proceedings. Since this was in keeping with the Municipal and District Council Act Chapter 28:01, section 17:5.

After the announcement by the Town Clerk, Councillor Oscar Clarke moved a motion for Councillor Akeem Peter to be the chairman for that meeting. This was seconded by Councillor James Samuels. During that meeting a second motion was placed before the House by Councillor Khame Sharma for Councillor Sherod Duncan to chair the meeting, but he subsequently declined.

As the meeting progressed, Sherod Duncan enquired if the Chairman of the meeting, Councillor Akeem Peter was accorded the amenities afforded to the Chair. Akeem Peter noted that he did not qualify for such amenities; since, according to the law, the substantive Mayor would have to be away from the official position for at least seven days or more before such amenities can be granted to the person performing the duties of Mayor or acting in that capacity.

The Municipal and District Councils Act chapter 28:01 section 17:5 states that in the event of the Deputy Mayor or a councillor performing the functions of the office of Mayor for seven consecutive days or more, the Deputy Mayor or councillor, as the case may be, shall, during such period, have at his disposal, in lieu of the Mayor, the funds placed at the disposal of the said office in the manner specified for payment of such funds.
The Council finds it rather strange and is peeved that Councillor Sherod Duncan suggested in his missive that the City’s Administration deliberately denied Councillor Akeem Peter privileges that were due to him.

The Georgetown City Council wants to make it categorically clear that it is guided by the Municipal and District Councils Acts Chapter 28:01. Firstly, Councillor Peter was nominated by way of motion placed before the house to chair the meeting of the Council for that day and secondly, even if Councillor Akeem Peter was performing the duties or acting in the capacity of Mayor, he would not have qualified for certain privileges because the seven days had not expired according to the Law.

Yours sincerely,
Debra Lewis
Public Relations Officer