Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:25 AM
Aug 08, 2013 News
In defense of Acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba and her staff, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has consulted the Guyana Police Force.
This move comes after the woman was physically blocked from entering her office at City Hall on Tuesday last, by Mayor Hamilton Green, former Mayor Mr. Ranwell Jordan, and other Councilors, and vendors of Georgetown.
Kaieteur News understands that Sooba was also verbally abused by the vendors, who, on Monday night last, also staged a protest in front of her Durban Street residence, threatening to shut down the city until the woman demits office.
The vendors have vowed to further pressurize Sooba and prohibit her from reaching to her office on a daily basis.
Briefly addressing the issue at a press conference on Tuesday, Junior Minister of Local Government, Norman Whittaker declared that he is satisfied with the work of the Acting Town Clerk, noting that she has been helpful in trying to establish transparency and accountability at City Hall.
Whittaker said that despite what the Mayor and his Councilors do, it is Minister Ganga Persaud who has the final say.
Meanwhile, Minster Ganga Persaud noted that the Mayor and Councilors can find themselves in trouble for harassing Sooba and blocking her from her office, since this is illegal.
He further said that he finds it unfortunate that the Mayor resorted to turning himself into a human barricade in order to get his way.
Persaud said that the actions of the Council members only reaffirm the need for Local Government Elections.
Ever since Sooba took up office in 2012, she has been faced with three no-confidence motions, and many problems with fellow workers of City Hall.
The Councilors are of the view that Sooba’s doings are not in the best interest of the M&CC, and that she should resign or be removed.
They described Sooba as an imposition on City Hall, noting that the woman is not qualified for her post as Town Clerk.
Sooba was identified for the post of Town Clerk by Minister Ganga Persaud, after a few senior officers were dismissed, following a number of financial irregularities within the Council.
A vacancy for the position was advertised but according to reports, none of the applicants met the requirements.
This ongoing feud between Sooba and members of the Council has resulted in many works beneficial to the city being stalled. This includes the beautification of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
It was noted that whenever the Town Clerk grants permission for infrastructural or other works to be carried out in the city, she does not consult the Mayor, but rather, claims it is a directive from the Minister.
Meanwhile, The People’s Progressive Party condemned what it termed the continuation of a vile campaign of vilification, slander and spite against the acting Town Clerk of the Georgetown Municipality.
The party noted that the sustained campaign, “which has a nasty tinge of racism and gender discrimination,” took a turn for the worse when persons were sent to issue threats in the guise of protest action at the home of Ms Sooba.”
“The courage of the acting Town Clerk must be recognized by all as she has so far resisted such despicable efforts to intimidate and bully her out of the Municipality,” the PPP stated.
According to the ruling party, the sinister agenda against Ms Sooba only commenced when she began to uncover gross financial irregularities within the Hamilton Green led M&CC.
“For too long the growth and development of our Capital City has been hindered by the decaying remnants of a bygone era, whose legacy is one of destruction and degradation and whose modus operandi is based on a campaign of fear and violence to achieve their ends.”
“Thus, it is easy to understand that while all around us there are countless signs of progress in Georgetown, City Hall has been in a permanent state of decline under the leadership of Mayor Green and the PNC/APNU; whose only effective legacy is their ability to readily find a scapegoat to blame for their incompetence.”
The PPP along with its Councilors have offered their full support to the acting Town Clerk, and encouraged her to continue executing her duties in a professional and efficient manner.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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