Newly elected Mayors and Deputy Mayors of the nine municipalities across Guyana were yesterday sworn in by President David Granger, who reminded them to demonstrate the values of representativeness, inclusiveness and effectiveness in the execution of their duties.

“I also urge the leaders of these municipalities to emphasise the principles of representativeness, inclusiveness and effectiveness, characterise their municipal administration,” the President said.

The municipal officials, who were elected in December last year, were sworn in at State House where they were all administered the Oath of Office. Several Mayors and Deputy Mayors were also sworn-in as ex-officio Justices of Peace by Chief Magistrate Ann Mclennan.

The newly sworn-in Mayors are: Patricia Chase-Green of Georgetown; Kirt Wynter of New Amsterdam; Krishnand Jaichand of Corriverton; Carwyn Holland of Linden; Vijay Ramoo of Rose Hall; Rabindranauth Mohan of Anna Regina; Gifford Marshall of Bartica; Carlton Beckles of Lethem; and Henry Smith of Mabaruma.

The newly-appointed Deputy Mayors are: Lionel Jaikaran of Georgetown; Winifred Heywood of New Amsterdam; Jamna Persaud Ghamandi of Corriverton; Waneka Arrindell of Linden; Dave Budhu of Rose Hall; Darshan Persaud of Anna Regina; Nageshwari Lochanpersaud of Bartica; and Maxine Welsh of Lethem.

President Granger used the occasion to remind those individuals that they were elected by their constituencies and as a result, the views of all councilors must be taken into consideration when important decision are being made.

“There will be Local Government Elections in 2018 and if you don’t perform and if you are not effective, your constituents are going to make their feelings impact on the outcome of those elections… I urge you, therefore, to ensure that all of the citizens in your towns and in your wards and in all of your constituencies are aware of the decisions that you are taking, which in the final analysis, affects them and their well-being” the Head-of-State warned.

In his remarks, the President explained that Town Councils are part of a tripartite system of government, which consists of the national tier, Central Government; the regional tier, Regional Democratic Councils; and the municipal tier, the neighbourhood/local level.

He pointed out that if citizens are to be delivered the quality of live they desire, then all three levels of government must work together.

“They cannot be separate; they cannot refuse to cooperate regardless of which Party they come from or in which part of the country they function. All three levels, national, regional and municipal, must work together for the national good,” President Granger said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, who was also present at the swearing in, shared that the local government system offers the prospects for solving everyday issues and challenges affecting people’s lives and livelihoods.

He contended that, “Local problems have local solutions and the role of Central Government is to provide support to the local government system and organs to enable you to deliver vital services people. So you are not in confrontation with Central Government and vice-versa. We are all allies and partners.”

Local Government Elections (LGE) were held last year for the first time after being postponed for more than two decades by the former PPP government.

Related posts:

President urges: “Let us finish the job” of transforming the country President tells Anna Regina to correct damage done under PPP by electing APNU at Local Govt. Elections President reminds Municipal leaders of their responsibility to constituents New Mayors and Deputy Mayors take Oath of Office and reminded to serve without fear or favour