Two UNC members on Local Government Association

The members elected are Chaguanas Mayor Gopaul Boodhan (vice chairman) and Couva/ Tabaquite/ Talparo Regional Corporation (CTTRC) chairman Henry Awong. San Juan/ Laventille Regional Corporation chairman Anthony Roberts was re-elected chairman.

During his address, Roberts recalled that Opposition members had not participated in the Association over the last several years despite a “gentleman’s agreement” to take an active role in its activities. However, speaking to reporters following his election as vice chairman, Boodhan said the election of the two Opposition members was “better than the last occasion” which witnessed no UNC members on the executive.

“I take some level of comfort in that we now have two persons present on the executive and we will now be able to share our ideas and opinions on the way forward for the organisation,” Boodhan said. “The Association is about representing the views and ideas of its members,” he said.

Earlier, Rural Development and Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein advised Local Government practitioners to give their best during their three year terms saying politics was a “temporary” occupation.

“Politics is temporary,” Hosein said, adding, “life is temporary, but politics is the most temporary thing it have because today you are here and tomorrow you do not know where you are.” “So you give a commitment, you come here for one month, or one year or three years, so work to the best of your ability, always have transparency in everything you doing,” Hosein said, and noted that he had an “open door” policy for local government councillors.