By Svetlana Marshall
A Bipartisan Committee of Inquiry (BCI) has been formed to resolve issues between the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) amid threats by the latter to move a no-confidence motion against the Region Four Regional Chairman Daniel Seeram and the Regional Vice Chairman, Samuel Sandy.
The No-Confidence Motion, dated August 18, 2021, was moved and signed by Councillor Amarnauth Chinkan and set to be seconded by Councillor Deodat Tillack. It was proposed that the Motion be presented at the RDC’s statutory meeting on August 26, 2021, however, given the establishment of the Bipartisan Committee of Inquiry, it has been put on hold.
Seeram, while trying to dodge questions on the matter during a press conference on Tuesday, said the issues surrounding the no-confidence motion are being dealt with by a committee. “In the AFC Councillors’ statement most of the inaccuracies there will be dealt with, however, at this forum I would not like to delve into it because there is an active committee pursuing coalition politics, and at this point in time, I will not say anything further on this topic,” the Region 4 Regional Chairman said, while declining to address the allegations specific to his office.
Village Voice News understands that following news of the no-confidence motion, the Chairman of the APNU, David Granger and Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan met and agreed to the establishment of the Bipartisan Committee of Inquiry, which will put forward a number of recommendations to resolve the issues within the Regional Democratic Council, Region 4 between the two sides.
The Committee is reportedly headed by Dr. Mark Kirton while its members are AFC Representative, Catherine Hughes and APNU Representative Genevieve Allen. APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul is reportedly the Secretary to the Committee.
According to a reliable source, the Bipartisan Committee of Inquiry met recently and has asked both sides – APNU and AFC – to submit a list of their issues, for which they have complied.
The committee, Village Voice News was told, is hoping to wrap up its work before the end of September to allow for the submission of its report and recommendations to the Leaders of the APNU and AFC.
“There was an agreement that the motions will stand down until the committee makes its recommendations,” the source said.
