Local leaders in Region 10 appear to favour AFC’s Mark Goring for Vice Chairman spot

Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, has warned that there will be “consequences” if Braithwaite is not supported for the position, but sources close to the negotiations told News Source that local leaders from both the AFC and its coalition partner, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), are in favor of Mr. Goring being elected to the office of Vice Chair.

Local leaders in Region 10 appear to favour AFC’s Mark Goring for Vice Chairman spot

Local leaders in Region 10 are reportedly in favour of the AFC’s Mark Goring becoming the next Regional Vice Chairman and not Ms. Coretta Braithwaite, who was nominated by the leadership of the Alliance For Change (AFC) for the position.

Mr. Goring is a Councillor on the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC), and the Chairman of the AFC’s regional arm.

Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, has warned that there will be “consequences” if Braithwaite is not supported for the position, but sources close to the negotiations told News Source that local leaders from both the AFC and its coalition partner, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), are in favor of Mr. Goring being elected to the office of Vice Chair.

According to one source, Mr. Goring was long identified for the position. Another source explained that when consultations were held with the regional leaders, there were three nominees: Mark Goring, Coretta Braithwaite and Norris King, all of whom are AFC Councillors. However, Mr. Goring was identified as the front runner.

It was pointed out that Mr. Goring is not only the Chairman of AFC’s Regional Management Committee but a successful businessman, actively on the ground.

“He is the current Chairman of the AFC in Region 10; he is a successful businessman and based on my understanding he is into logging and he understands Sub-region 2. So, when you put all of that together, they are advising us that he is the front runner,” the source said.

It has been more than one year since the Office of the Regional Vice Chairman has been vacant due to the passing of Mr. Douglas Gittens, who succumbed to COVID-19 in June, 2021.

On Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton, said while APNU has agreed to elect an AFC Councillor to the position, that individual must have the full confidence of both sides.

“The issue is not whether its an AFC Vice Chairman, as the APNU has been disposed to an AFC Vice Chair but it must not be somebody that is dictated by the AFC, who doesn’t have the confidence of the APNU since they have to work together,” the Opposition Leader explained.

At the time, he was responding to questions posed on the issue during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

Mr. Norton said there is a favoured nominee, that once agreed upon, could see the issue being resolved soon.

“The people who are involved at the regional level, they know what to do, and they will do what needs to be done,” he said while emphasizing that the local leaders have a better understanding of the situation on the ground and will determine the way forward.

Last week, both the Chairman of APNU, Region 10, Jermaine Figueira and the Regional Chairman, Deron Adams told News Source that the local leaders are integral to the process of identifying and electing the next Vice Chairman.

The Regional Vice Chairman is responsible for Sub-region 2 in Region 10, and according to the Regional Chairman, the elected official must be able to represent the interest of the residents there.  The election of the Regional Vice Chairman is expected to come up when the 18-member Council meets again next month.

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