By Naomi Marshall
DERON ADAMS was, on Monday, elected as the ninth Regional Chairman of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), while Douglas Gittens was elected the Region’s vice-chairman.

Adams and Gittens are also among the 18 new and re-elected councillors who will occupy the ninth Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Region 10.
During his maiden speech as chairman, Adams committed to working tirelessly to effectively lead the region’s mission, and to strengthen and secure its future in the best interest of its people.

“I know it is a significant commitment, but I am prepared to contribute along with the newly- elected and returning councillors to build upon the successes of what we would have achieved over the past five years, and to fulfill the RDC’s mission to support, promote and protect our people’s interests here in Region 10,” he stated.

He went on to acknowledge the work of the outgoing Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, who he said provided the council with outstanding leadership for over five years, handling matters with discretion and sincerity.

Adams also noted that Morian was effective at keeping politics out of the Council’s meetings, a trait he plans on mirroring during his tenure as chairman.

“I want to recognise and thank him (Renis Morian) for the trust that he engendered within the region and the bridges that he built during his tenure as chairman,” Adams added.

As Chairman, Adams said he plans to nurture and develop respectful relationships with officials of the political, public and private sectors.
Additionally, he plans to “communicate various committee’s public policy positions to the residents and media on key issues such as the regional budget, youth empowerment, education, health and agriculture development, to address small business concerns and infrastructure and economy.”
Adams thanked God, his family and friends for their continuous support, and the leadership of the APNU/AFC Coalition for including his name on the regional list.

Also speaking at the event was Minister of Public Works, Honourable Bishop Juan Edghill who congratulated the newly-elected members of Region 10’s RDC on gaining their new positions.

The minister reminded the newly-elected that they are now representatives of the people of Region 10, and not representatives of political parties, and, as such, they should work together to deliver goods and services needed by the Region’s people.

According to Edghill, the government is willing and ready to work with the RDC for the development of Region 10 and its people.

“Our administration stands willing and ready to extend the hands of cooperation, to work with you and that begins by listening to you to hear your views and concerns and for us to collectively agree on what can be done together and to ensure that we move forward,” he noted.

Also at the event was Amna Ally, General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform; Members of Parliament, Devin Sears and Jermaine Figueira, and Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell, among other regional officials.