Commission of Inquiry to probe administrative concerns at City Hall

Consequent on the receipt of several complaints on the administration and operations of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M.& C.C.), the Local Government Commission has constituted a Commission of Inquiry (C.O.I) that will examine, advise and report on any or all irregularities that may exist within this local government body.

Several of the complaints that have occasioned this step include a reported failure of the City Council to remit workers National Insurance Scheme contributions, failure to remit to the Credit Union contributions deducted from workers’ salaries and issues surrounding the award of contracts in keeping with financial regulations, transparency and accountability among others.

Over the course of several months the newly established Local Government Commission has deliberated on the complaints received on the administration and operations of the M. & C.C., and a unanimous decision was taken at the Commission’s 17^th Statutory meeting held on Tuesday April 17^th, 2018 to have this matter thoroughly examined by way of the establishment of a C.O.I. A decision was also taken by the Commission at its meeting on June 21^st, 2018 to have the Town Clerk sent on administrative leave.

Accordingly, Mr. Royston King, Town Clerk of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown has been instructed to proceed on administrative leave with effect from Friday September 21st, 2018 pending the examination and determination of all the issues under Inquiry.

The Terms of Reference of the Commission includes a mandate to:

1. Investigate the administration and operations of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown;
2. The reason for and the process by which a motion of no confidence on the Town Clerk was dealt with by the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown; and
3. Generally, to investigate any matter that may be brought to the attention of the Commissioner during the Inquiry that would adversely affect the administration and operation of the Municipality of Georgetown.

Constituted by the Local Government Commission, the Commission by its Terms of Reference extends from September 24^th, to October 31^st, 2018 and will operate under the provisions of the Constitution of Guyana, the Local Government Commission Act 2013, and the Municipal and District Councils Act Cap. 28:01 of the Laws of Guyana.

Retired Chancellor Justice Cecil Kennard C.C.H., O.R., has been appointed Chairman and sole Commissioner of the C.O.I. and will conduct formal hearings for witnesses, complainants and other interested parties at the Critchlow Labour College, situated at Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown from Monday September 24th, 2018.

Members of the public who may wish to engage the Commission of Inquiry are advised to do so via email: [email protected] or on telephone number: (592)-687- 9341. You may also engage the Legal Clerk/Secretary of the COI at Critchlow Labour College from Monday September 17^th to Friday September 21^st, inclusive, during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily.  All persons with information that may aid the work of the Commission of Inquiry or who may have complaints against the M. & C.C. are encouraged to visit the office established for this purpose to have same addressed.