“Take off your political caps and govern for all the people of your community” – Min. Bulkan

– Chairs and Vice-chairs of Region 3 sworn in

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, December 18, 2018

The official swearing-in ceremony of the 14 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) of Essequibo Islands-West Demerara was held on Monday in the auditorium of the West Demerara Secondary School.

Delivering the welcome and opening remarks was Regional Chairman Julius Faerber, who congratulated all the newly elected leaders and appealed to them to work for the development of their communities. “You are now holders of prestigious offices and therefore you must carry yourselves in a dignified manner. I offer words of congratulations to all of you and look forward to working with all of you for the upliftment of this region.”

Administering the oath of office was Regional Executive Officer (REO), Denis Jaikaran. Taking the oath of office for Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons respectively were Sheik Ahmad and Jenette Harrilall for Wakenaam NDC; Lachman Dwarkha and Jainarine Singh for Leguan NDC; Jaideo Sookhoo and Raywatti Outar for Parika Mora NDC; Parasram Persaud and Hemraj Ragnauth for Hydronie; Good Hope NDC, Adhunauth Bhola and Indranie Bhagwandin for Greenwich Park, Vergenoegen NDC, Vishal Ambedkar and Karanjeet Mangalsingh for Tuschen, Uitvlugt NDC, Jainarine Narine and Paul Narine for Stewartville, Cornelia Ida NDC, Kenton Hilliman and Junette Green for Hague, Blankenburg NDC, Rajesh Kadarnauth and Abdullah Wajidali for La Jalousie Nouvelle Flanders NDC, Umesh Balram and Rohan Bheir for Best Klien Pouderoyen NDC, Dollis Edie and Sarafina Allen for Malgre Tout Meer Zorgen NDC, Anjanie Narine and Carlos De Freitas for La Grange Nismes NDC, Yogieraj Das and Kushaldeo Bepath for Canals Polder NDC and Mark Khan and Roy Bennett for Toevlugt Patentia NDC.

The charge to the newly sworn-in leaders was delivered by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan who reminded the officers of their constitutional obligations to the citizens of their NDCs.

“Your masters are the people of your community and you must be the servant to them. I charge you to take off your political caps and govern for all the people of your community. I have no intention or desire to dictate or dominate for we, in central government, will partner with you for the development of your communities. I charge you not to become dysfunctional because you chose to take up this mantle and therefore you must serve and serve well… All the necessary documents and guidance that will be required will be provided and may I remind you that our Ministry provided two volumes of a handbook capturing the necessary information from Chapter 28:01, 28:02 and 28:09 of the laws of Guyana which will answer most, if not all, of your issues should you have any and I will provide the updated version to all NDCs again so as to continue to strengthen the NDCs,” the minister noted.

He also notified the sworn-in local leaders that early in 2019 the second meeting of the National Council of Local Democratic Organs (NCLDO) will be hosted at which they are expected to participate.

Delivering the closing remarks was newly elected Chairman of Wakenaam NDC Sheik Ahmad who urged those sworn in to “Work for all our people whether they supported us or not. Today, we are sworn in for the entire NDC to which we represent and not just our support areas, so together I call on all to work so that we will be able to develop Guyana.”

Story: Ganesh Mahipaul.

Images: Tejpaul Bridgemohan.