By Royan Abrams
In a significant development for the Orealla/Siparuta community, 26-year-old Laurence Vandenburg, a dedicated teacher, has been elected as the new Toshao of the Orealla/Siparuta Village Council.
Vandenburg emerged victorious in yesterday’s election, securing 206 votes, surpassing his competitors, including former Toshao Lewis Devair.
Expressing his gratitude to the community for their support, Vandenburg outlined his priorities for the village, focusing on improving access to essential services such as electricity and water.
He also emphasized the importance of transparent financial management within the council, pledging to provide monthly financial reports presented at quarterly general meetings.
The Regional Executive Officer, Narindra Persaud, who served as the Returning Officer for the election, underscored the government’s commitment to collaborating closely with the council to ensure the community benefits from ongoing development initiatives across the country.
Persaud highlighted the significance of every village in Guyana and pledged continued government support for Orealla/Siparuta’s progress.
The election, held without any reported hiccups, concluded smoothly on Wednesday evening, with polling stations closing at 18:00.
Following the tallying of votes, Laurence Vandenburg was officially sworn in as the new Toshao, marking a new chapter in the community’s leadership.