ACTING Chief Justice Ian Chang will shortly deliver his decision on the controversial appointment of Carol Sooba as Town Clerk.

The ruling will determine if the latter remains as the Chief Executive of the Georgetown municipality despite being challenged by Public Relations Officer, Royston King.

Following King’s application for writs or orders of certiorari relative to the appointing of Sooba, the Chief Justice had issued nisi orders directed to the Local Government Minister for him to show cause why his decision to appoint Sooba should not be quashed.
In his answering affidavit, Member of Parliament (MP) Norman Whittaker, on behalf of the Minister of Local Government said:

“I was personally involved in and have personal knowledge of all matters and procedures which led to and touch and concern the appointment of Ms. Carol Sooba to the position of Town Clerk for the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown.”

“Sooba acted in the position of Town Clerk from July 25, 2012 until she was appointed to the position by the Minister of Local Government on December 2, 2013, pursuant to powers vested in him by the provisions of the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Act, Chapter 28.01, Laws of Guyana.
“Indeed, when Sooba was appointed to act, the Mayor, Mr. Hamilton Green and a majority of the Councillors

welcomed her appointment at the first statutory meeting she attended in that capacity and lauded her qualities.
“But, as she commenced the discharge of her functions, in what I assessed to be in a professional and competent manner, the relations begun to deteriorate,” Whittaker stated.
The Chief Justice will send out notices informing the concerned parties about the date of his ruling.

(By George Barclay )