Removal of Kwakwani IMC will trigger legal action - Local Gov't Minister | Latest

Removal of Kwakwani IMC will trigger legal action - Local Gov't Minister

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Written by Kwesi Isles

Monday, 03 September 2012 16:07

ganga_persaud Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud says any dissolution of the government-appointed Interim Management Committee (IMC) at Kwakwani, Region 10 by the Regional Chairman will be illegal and will be dealt with accordingly’.

He made the comment at a news briefing on Monday in response to reports that Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon, with the backing of residents, will move to elect a new IMC this week to replace one installed in July.

“I am happy that critics of IMCs seem to have embraced the concept. It is sad however that whoever is seeking to establish IMCs, particularly Mr. Solomon, has no authority to so do. And so any action taken by Mr. Solomon with regards to establishing an IMC is illegal, an infringement of the law and the course of the law will definitely deal with such an action,” Persaud stated.

He added that the IMC installed by junior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker will continue to function. Some 11 persons of the 15-member body have been functioning with reports stating that the others have pulled out over the nature in which the body was set up.

The IMC replaced the Neighbourhood Democratic Council but has not been getting the support of the community and when contacted on Monday Solomon said the minister’s statements were “a travesty.”

“The unwillingness of the politicians to give people a hearing is a travesty. The region is not instigating anything, we’re supporting the people and I would encourage the government to do the same. They’re not taking legal action against the region, they’re taking action against the people,” Solomon said.

He added that it was clear that IMC was out of favour given that the market vendors refuse to pay rates, residents have removed the steps to the building where the body meets and have locked the doors.

“If the ministry can’t see these things as a cry that they don’t want the IMC then that’s another travesty,” the Chairman stated.

According to Solomon, it was a “lack of will” on the government’s part to have the local government reforms pushed through that has led to the people’s decision to take action. “They should be focussing on reforms rather than acting against the people.”

Several pieces of legislation necessary for the holding of local government elections are currently in a parliamentary select committee. Local government elections were last held in 1994.

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Comments

-16 #1 No bullyism & thuggery! 2012-09-03 16:26

refusing to pay rates,removing steps and locking doors are illegal
this solomon guy seems like a young upstart and his wings must be clipped

+13 #2 Emile_Mervin 2012-09-03 16:43

To hell with the freaking corrupt and dictatorial PPP. Sharma Solomon will have all Kwakwanians backing him in this move to oust the PPP-imposed IMC. The people don't want PPP dictators. Not even the PPP Town Clerk in Georgetown is welcomed.

The PPP has to be stopped for the greater good of Guyana and all Guyanese!

-12 #3 dougla 2012-09-03 17:17

Jail those who are breaking the law,..

+15 #4 Carl 2012-09-03 18:05

Man, these government folks have no shame. They have for years refused to establish the constitutionall y-mandated legislation for people to elect their local leaders, and then they turnaround and arbitrarily impose IMC upon communities.

I urge the people of Kwakwani to elect their own IMC and let Ganga Persaud take them to court. Stand tall, Kwakwani. Don't back down!

Guyanese must stand up and show the PPP that Guyana is not a modern day plantation upon which the PPP's will must be carried out by Guyanese.

People's power! No dictator!

+6 #5 Peter Sam 2012-09-03 18:43

Kwakwani is my paradise. I wish whatever is done will be for the betterment of the town.

Kwakwani like the rest of Guyana needs high minded leadership. I can't say I agree with the government or not.

What is sad for me is that Guyana is such a divided country, anything the government does is viewed with suspicion and never supported.

Same thing when the PNC was in office. It seems like, as a people we r stuck between a rock and a barren plateau. This takes us full throttle nowhere.

+9 #6 isisaythat 2012-09-03 19:45

The Minister only seems comfortable with his authority , but what about the will of the people.The minister must now answer these questions. Was the IMC imposition discussed with the majority of Kwakwani residents and when.Was the minister contacted and advised by his colleague Robert Persaud to meet the Resident of Kwakwani when He(Persaud was in Kwakwani?Can the minister install an IMC in Region 6 without the support of the majority of residents? Isn't it DEMOCRATIC for the residents to choose the persons they want to Represent them on their council? What is the "D" in NDC represent? If all questions are correctly answered, the minister will have my full support.

-14 #7 Lall bahadur chatter Paul Singh 2012-09-03 20:31

Do you people of Linden know what happened ehen you have a state within a state
The all drank kool aid
You people heading down that path, good hunting

+9 #8 jinel david 2012-09-03 21:35

when the rich rob the poor its called business,when the poor fight back its called voilence,smh wicked government,i cant take living under them mafia any longer who called themselves the leaders of guyana

+8 #9 A MOORE 2012-09-03 22:24

I fully support the actions of the people of region 10 and chairman Solomon. And cannot wait to hear the rediculas arguments that the ministary of local government and the AG will present in court.
IT seem treasosous for any GOG offical to challenge the will of the Guyanese people in a court of law.
It is an outrage that this minister who was not elected by anyone in Guyana would be nullifing elections and replaceing duely elected individuals with appointed ones.

IT is inconceiveable that our constitution can give an appointed government offical the power to remove an elected one. Particullarly if the elected offical was not found guilty of any crime.

This matter must ultimately be settled by the people of region 10 , if the high court become compromised.

The High Court must once-and-for-all establish to this authoritarian regime that elections matter, and that the will of the people must never be nullified by anyone.Not the President or the courts.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE !!!

+3 #10 Mike 2012-09-04 08:41

If only there was proper consultation then this situation would not have occurred. The minister may be within his legal right but he needs to be wary of people power lest there be another Linden saga. This govt needs to be less authoritarian and more conciliatory.

+1 #11 kilo charlie 2012-09-04 09:22

The people of KK must gang up against all politicians and submit a list of capable independent persons to for the IMC.

These persons should have the confidence of all the residents, the Govt, Rusal, and the contractors working in the area.

At the moment we have a Minister list and now we are having an opposition list.

Result we KK people are going no where.

Disaapointed.

+4 #12 crazyGT 2012-09-04 09:41

Very simple stupid , separations of powers stupid , the central Gov.has too much of power to dictates the local authority, which part of the world you have a minister of local gov ,only in Guyana, just too much control by the central gov , So we the people accept this so we the people just to blame

+4 #13 Sapodilla Girl 2012-09-04 10:35

Divide and conquer, starve them and bring them to their knees then stamp them in the ground with the government boots! That is the plan for Region 10, the modus operandi of this lying, cheating, corrupt, domineering, greedy, empty headed government and its brown nosed,'salad-tossing' sycophants. These people make me sick.

-2 #14 angela dass 2012-09-04 11:20

Everything has a procedure, especially where there is a system that has a constitution. Every country has constitution. If according to same Local Govtment elections is held every 3 years and the last one was 1994, why Mr. Solomon did not question the Interim he sat on in Linden which has been in exsistance for over a decade.
The situation in Kwakwani has been a deploring one run under the NDC that has disolve itself.I am a born residence of Kwakwani, schooled in Linden, came back to KK permanently in 1992.I can say with no remorse, no disrespect and with no apology I will say that the Human Resourse in Kwakwani SUCKS, it has been so for quite some time now.The ex-leaders has turn Kwakwani into A PIG STY Officals come and go and make comment on the Un-healthy conditions of this community, Most recently one visiting Leader mentioned to them that He never see people bumping ball in cow [censored] and he left them with food for thought.
Apparently they left in a boat without paddle cause they are still spinning around,.Now another sailor come on board telling them about PEOPLE POWER.
What was done was publically announced event for event, and the empty barrels heard what they are now listening to. This Community was being run by two men, there was no transparency, no accountability to the PEOPLE POWER.The government did not import the councilors on the installed IMC they are persons who are committed to a Healthier and proper developed community. The EMPTY BARRELS HAD THEIR CHANCES WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THE PIG STY FOR THE CHILDREN'S SAKE Let them give account for ALL the missing ASSETS of the late NDC. For the record I am not a politician, but a concern Human Rights, SOCIAL AND EVERONMENTAL ACTIVISIT

+3 #15 Suresh 2012-09-04 14:46

Mr. Solomon, you do what you have to do, these people are no freaking good. It's People's Power in Region 10, hope the other regions catch on.

-3 #16 God Save Guyana. 2012-09-04 18:37

why did he not push for local government elections for linden and kwakwani when he was negotiating agreements with the government during the linden crisis
he seems to have secret ulterior motives

+3 #17 A MOORE 2012-09-04 18:52

It seem like Mr Solomon is the only regional leader who is interested in democracy and civil rights for his community. Where are the regional chairmen from the other regions. where are the leaders of regions 4 and 7 and 8. Aren't they concerned about civil rights in their regions also. Or are they want-to-be soup drinkers who feel that they will be targeted by the PPP crooks.

Leaders must lead and good leaders must support other good leaders. So if the leaders of the other regions do not have the gutts to come out in support of Mr Solomon maby they should be recalled. THEY MUST REALISE THAT THERE IS STRENGHT IN NUMBERS.There silense in this matter is troubling.

Change only come through struggle. And this struggle for CIVIL RIGHTS require participation by all Guyanese. This PPP regime must feel the pressure as we strive to see local government elections. 18 YEARS WAS MUCH TOO LONG.

-3 #18 Presso 2012-09-04 20:08

This guy Sharma Solomon is a nonentity. His election to the office of Regional Chairman is laughable. The first time I heard him speak I was shocked beyond belief that Linden could not have chosen a more intelligent person to represent them.

Empty vessels make the most noise and I
think he is to shoulder most of the blame for the devastation in Linden the other day. He seems to be obsessed with power and more often than not you find this happening to individuals who achieve power when they know fully well they cannot handle it much less deserve it. I urge all Qwaqwanians not to allow themselves to be infected by this Solomon virus.

+3 #19 geeteerebel 2012-09-04 21:00

Quoting angela dass:

Everything has a procedure, especially where there is a system that has a constitution. Every country has constitution. If according to same Local Govtment elections is held every 3 years and the last one was 1994, why Mr. Solomon did not question the Interim he sat on in Linden which has been in exsistance for over a decade.
The situation in Kwakwani has been a deploring one run under the NDC that has disolve itself.I am a born residence of Kwakwani, schooled in Linden, came back to KK permanently in 1992.I can say with no remorse, no disrespect and with no apology I will say that the Human Resourse in Kwakwani SUCKS, it has been so for quite some time now.The ex-leaders has turn Kwakwani into A PIG STY Officals come and go and make comment on the Un-healthy conditions of this community, Most recently one visiting Leader mentioned to them that He never see people bumping ball in cow [censored] and he left them with food for thought.
Apparently they left in a boat without paddle cause they are still spinning around,.Now another sailor come on board telling them about PEOPLE POWER.
What was done was publically announced event for event, and the empty barrels heard what they are now listening to. This Community was being run by two men, there was no transparency, no accountability to the PEOPLE POWER.The government did not import the councilors on the installed IMC they are persons who are committed to a Healthier and proper developed community. The EMPTY BARRELS HAD THEIR CHANCES WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THE PIG STY FOR THE CHILDREN'S SAKE Let them give account for ALL the missing ASSETS of the late NDC. For the record I am not a politician, but a concern Human Rights, SOCIAL AND EVERONMENTAL ACTIVISIT

Ok Sir.. Lets agree to disagree.. Since the IMC is so good please install them in all the PPP/c areas and let the other people use the democratic model and elect the local govt.
DEMOCRACY...

+3 #20 geeteerebel 2012-09-04 21:09

Quoting Lall bahadur chatter Paul Singh:

Do you people of Linden know what happened ehen you have a state within a state
The all drank kool aid
You people heading down that path, good hunting

Do you mean like the 50 States within the United States... worlds oldest Democracy.. 20+ years of taxation without representation..
"WE SHALL BE FREE"....

+2 #21 geeteerebel 2012-09-04 21:14

Quoting dougla:

Jail those who are breaking the law,..

Correct.. those who have thwarted Democarcy since 1994.. A constitutional Right .. mind you... Judgement day is coming, u cannot hide behind no judge, no Select committee, no police.. Guyana Spring is coming.... the ppl are no longer afraid of you...

+3 #22 geeteerebel 2012-09-04 21:18

Quoting A MOORE:

I fully support the actions of the people of region 10 and chairman Solomon. And cannot wait to hear the rediculas arguments that the ministary of local government and the AG will present in court.
IT seem treasosous for any GOG offical to challenge the will of the Guyanese people in a court of law.
It is an outrage that this minister who was not elected by anyone in Guyana would be nullifing elections and replaceing duely elected individuals with appointed ones.

IT is inconceiveable that our constitution can give an appointed government offical the power to remove an elected one. Particullarly if the elected offical was not found guilty of any crime.

This matter must ultimately be settled by the people of region 10 , if the high court become compromised.

The High Court must once-and-for-all establish to this authoritarian regime that elections matter, and that the will of the people must never be nullified by anyone.Not the President or the courts.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE !!!

The CCJ will stand with the ppl

+2 #23 isisaythat 2012-09-04 22:49

A question for Angella Dass, how the IMC in Linden installed. What is wrong about residents demanding a democratic process to elect their Leaders? Is any one of those selected on the IMC capable of being elected by the residents?

-1 #24 angela dass 2012-09-09 15:36

The question is not how it was formed, it was WHY it was formed and there was NO objections this is over a decade and Mr Solomon sat on that same committee, There is nothing wrong with persons requesting a Democratic process, which is Local Government Elections,which is a process for all regions at the same time. What the GOG did was no backdoor nothing sneeking in like they are saying the GOG over the yearsssss listened to their complaints, a petition was done by THEM,following same a publically announced, enquiry was done , being the LEADERS that they are mis informed the "not thinking for themselves residence" and instead of attending the enquiry they protested, while enquiry was in progress, Leaders were present, they did not gave their testimonies ,others persons gave theirs,then the installment of the NOW IMC,The non -functioning of the NDC they disolved themselves. Every day we live PROCEDURE.
For your final question, The persons like I said earlier they were not imported, they are the BEST OF THE REST, THEY DID THEIR ELECTION AND NOW SAYING THAT the persons they elected are not experienced enough to carry out the task, the GOG IMC does not have that , see there is conflict again . No one that you put there will make them comfortable. Right now we will be running on the spot with there seclection cause THAT IS NOT AN ELECTION,
one more thing let the opposition speak and start revising the present constitution that governs,the NDCs and make their changes so that the GOG can start processing the elections.but until then the IMC WILL FUNCTION

0 #25 angela dass 2012-09-10 13:42

I like Mr Peter Sam we are the roots of KK and high-minded,committe d and dedicated leaders is whay we you knoe the history The IMC in place is NO STRANGERS to KK, tHEY ARE COMPETENT nad I feel that is what the empty barrels are afraid of what is to come restoration of KK.

-1 #26 angela dass 2012-09-14 13:46

to jinel david you r so pathetic I taught u in school use the computer to up grade yourself chao

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