October 4, 2024
In another troubling incident involving staff from the National Communications Network (NCN) Linden Branch, camerawoman Ayana Benjamin was verbally abused by Councillor Abdullah Hamid during this week’s statutory meeting.
The confrontation occurred shortly after Mayor Sharma Solomon prematurely adjourned the meeting due to a disagreement with Town Clerk Lennox Gasper.
The altercation arose as Benjamin was fulfilling her duties, capturing the events of the meeting, when Hamid launched a tirade against her.
This incident marks the second attack on an NCN employee this year, the first occurring when APNU councillors interrupted an interview being conducted with the Town Clerk at his office.
The conflict between the Mayor and the Town Clerk escalated over updates on two ongoing projects.
Mayor Solomon expressed frustration when Gasper did not rise to address him, leading to the abrupt end of the meeting.
In response, Gasper pointed out that standing to address the Mayor was not stipulated in the standing orders.
This latest adjournment marks the fourth time the Mayor has ended a meeting prematurely, further hindering the services intended for the residents of the region.
The repeated disruptions raise concerns about the effectiveness of local governance and the treatment of media personnel covering these important civic meetings.