-by Jarryl Bryan

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand says the absence of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) representatives on Region Four’s regional technical committees is due to the Opposition’s failure to submit nominees.

During examination of the estimates in the Committee of Supply, Opposition Chief Whip Tabitha Sarabo-Halley questioned why WIN councillors were not included on the advisory committees that provide technical guidance to the Region Four administration.

In response, Minister Manickchand explained that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) had invited political parties to submit a diverse list of nominees based on expertise. She said the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which holds nine seats on the council and serves as the opposition bloc, was asked to provide names but did not submit any WIN nominees.

The minister noted that committee members are chosen for their technical competence and suggested that APNU may have determined that no WIN councillors were put forward with the required expertise.

The Region Four RDC is currently led by the PPP/C, which holds 17 seats and the chairmanship. APNU has nine seats, WIN eight, and the Forward Guyana Movement one.