The tenure of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) overseeing the Linden Utilities Services Coop Society Limited (LUSCSL) came to an end on September 30, 2023.
The IMC was appointed in April 2022 after it was discovered that the cooperative was facing issues of mismanagement and lack of transparency.
The Co-operative Department, under the Ministry of Labour, is currently working with LUSCSL to appoint a new seven-member IMC.
Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, expressed his intention to facilitate a smooth transition and return the Co-op to its members under more effective management.
Minister Hamilton met with the outgoing IMC to discuss concerns about the pace of efforts to address the Co-op’s issues.
He emphasized the importance of updating the membership register and organizing an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to facilitate the election of new Co-op management.
The AGM is expected to take place either by the end of this year or in early 2024.
The Minister’s primary concern is to ensure the continued provision of electricity services to the community of Wismar.
He underscored that any elected management committee should work in the best interest of its members, as all members hold equal rights and shares in their respective societies.
While the government aims to avoid direct management of co-ops, friendly societies, or credit unions, Minister Hamilton emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in their operations.