– Minister Dharamlall tells newly elected Region Two officials
– Vilma Da Silva elected Chairperson, Humace Odit is Vice-Chairman

By: Indrawattie Natram

MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, on Monday, urged the newly-elected members of Region Two’s Regional Democratic Council (RDC), to be people-oriented and transparent.

He expressed these sentiments, shortly after Vilma Audrey Da Silva and Humace Odit were elected to serve as the Region’s Chairwoman and Vice Chairman respectively.

The two officials and several People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and A Partnership of National Unity+ Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) councillors took the oath of office before the Minister during a swearing-in ceremony held in the RDC’s boardroom. A nomination process preceded the ceremony.

Minister Dharamlall, in his address to the newly sworn-in officials, said his Ministry will be pursuing Regional Economic Infrastructural Development, which will be fashioned to achieve the vision of the region.

He called on those who took the oath of office to reach out to the people to ensure there is transparency, accountability, and good governance.

The Minister used the occasion to urge the newly-installed councillors to hold consultations with residents and to ensure that the bills of quantities for projects are published in every community and villages before they are executed. He also reminded the councillors that the President of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali does not promote corruption and therefore he called for the team to work together to achieve transparency.

“The most important role of a political leader is to listen to the people. You need to listen to every concern, you must be open to every citizen,” Minister Dharamlall said.

Da Silva, a fifty-eight-year-old resident of Grant Beach Profit, Lower Pomeroon, was nominated by PPP/C member Arnold Adams. This nomination was supported by Lloyd Pereira. Da Silva replaced Devanand Ramdatt, who is now the Region’s Regional Executive Officer and the Clerk of the RDC. Odit replaces Ms. Nandranie Coonjah. Both Odit and Da Silva served as councillors on the previous RDC.

The newly-installed PPP/C-nominated councillors are Faraz Baksh, Raghunauth Doodnauth, Melrose Henry, Toolie Narine, Verian Eleanor Rasheed, Ranjeev Singh, Shaleena Feona Sukhdeo, Ronald Thompson, Arnold Adams, and Lloyd Joyston Pereira.

Those for APNU+AFC are Wilfred Trevor Cozier, Ciselyn Adelia Jonas, Mark Mc Lean and Yonette Nichola Obermuller. Nathram Persaud was absent.

In accepting her new position, Da Silva stressed on the need for support and said she was looking forward to working with everyone to move the region forward and towards a path of development.

The mother of six called on the newly-elected councillors to set aside differences and work together in unity. She assured that Region Two will bloom under her leadership.

Odit in his remarks expressed similar sentiments. He too said he was looking forward to working with all councillors and the major stakeholders in the best interest of the region.

The father of three informed that he has a wealth of knowledge about the region having served on the RDC for several years.

Also in attendance at the swearing-in ceremony were APNU+AFC Members of Parliament, Haimraj Rajkumar and Shurwayne Holder.