Siparia Mayor explains dispute that triggered heated corporation walkout

SIPARIA MAYOR GIVES HIS ACCOUNT OF CHAOTIC CORPORATION MEETING

Siparia Mayor Doodnath Mayrhoo has given his account of Tuesday’s heated special statutory meeting of the Siparia Borough Corporation, saying a dispute over the appointment of committee chairpersons eventually resulted in members walking out and the meeting being adjourned.

According to Mayrhoo, the meeting was called to appoint chairpersons for the Corporation’s standing and ad hoc committees.

The mayor said four PNM councillors were elected to chair the Finance, Planning, Public Health and Physical Infrastructure committees in accordance with the Corporation’s Standing Orders.

However, Mayrhoo said the disagreement developed when the meeting moved to the appointment of chairpersons for ad hoc committees.

According to the mayor’s interpretation of the Standing Orders, those chairpersons are appointed by the mayor rather than elected by members of the council.

Mayrhoo said objections were raised over the process and members supporting the PNM eventually walked out of the meeting, preventing the remaining appointments from being completed.

The mayor said he sought clarification on the procedure from the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government and maintained that the legal guidance he received supported his interpretation that the selection of ad hoc committee chairpersons falls within the mayor’s authority.

That interpretation was disputed by members on the other side of the council.

Mayrhoo accused the opposition of attempting to prevent him from exercising powers he believes are provided under the Corporation’s rules, describing the confrontation as a “power grab.”

He also criticised alderman Victor Roberts, who previously sat with the UNC before switching his support to the PNM.

The political balance of the Siparia Borough Corporation has changed following the movement of Roberts and Siparia West/Fyzabad councillor Jason Ali to the PNM side, giving the party the majority of votes on the council.

Tuesday’s confrontation included heated exchanges between Mayrhoo and Roberts, with the two trading accusations as disagreement over the committee appointments intensified.

The meeting ultimately ended without the disputed ad hoc committee appointments being finalised.

Mayrhoo said he intends to continue carrying out his duties and serving the burgesses of Siparia despite the political tensions within the Corporation.

The mayor’s statements represent his account and interpretation of the events surrounding Tuesday’s meeting, with the opposing side disputing aspects of the process and the authority governing the appointments.

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