President calls on Region five Democratic Council to “move on”

By Malisa Playter Harry

During a visit to Region five on Monday, President David Granger urged the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to “move on” from its ongoing ‘stand-off’ which stemmed from the Regional Chairman’s absence from an event attended by the President earlier in the year.

Following several calls for an apology from the Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal for what the APNU/AFC councillors deemed “disrespectful” to the President, they continued to interrupt statutory meetings for approximately seven months, causing the work of the region to be at a standstill.

The Head of State during his address at Ithaca, West Coast Berbice (WCB) at their Village Emancipation Day Program, told the APNU/AFC Councillors and the Regional Chairman, “to let bygones be bygones”.

“Today in Region Five, I do declare that all the members of the RDC must work together for the good of the Mahaica- Berbice region,Mr.” he said.

After the president made the statement, the crowd erupted into loud applause. He also called on Regional Chairman, to shake hands with APNU/AFC Councillor, Carol Joseph, however, they both went a step further and embraced each other, signalling an end to their public feud which has gone on for over seven months.

He further noted that central government must work along with all levels of local government.

“The central government, represented here by the president and the ministers, the regional administration represented Mr Ramphal and the neighbourhood and local government represented by the mayors and councillors” “I want all three levels to work together,” President Granger said.