Former MP supports action of barring Regional Councillors from Contracts

Former Member of Parliament for Region Ten in the AFC fraction, Audwin Rutherford has
endorsed proposed actions being taken against a number of Regional Councillors within Region
Ten, from securing contracts within the region.
Rutherford who recently resigned from his party that he helped along with the APNU to get
elected in 2015, wasted no time in expressing his firm views on the issue.
In an invited comment by www.aroundtheregions.com, the former MP said that he supports the
action, noting that it is evidently a conflict of interest. He spoke about ethics and
professionalism, warning that while he sees no need for Contractors being Regional Councillors,
he has an issue with Regional Councillors securing contracts from the very regions that they are
sitting as Regional Councillors.
“From the onset whether by law or not, I would say as a Regional Councillor your main aim is to
see betterment for the people and the money is well spent. I feel that it can be a conflict of
interest to be seeking contracts from the Region that you are a Councillor in”, the former MP
said.
He argued that too many Regional Councillors are of the view that as a Regional Councillor they
need to secure contracts from the very region. This, he reminded, is not healthy and forthcoming
for the effective and efficient representation of the people of that region.
“I want to feel that if a contractor is involved in the region and if he or she would have had their
particular interest, I do not see what can interest them if they feel that the only way that they can
contribute to their party or the region is by becoming a contractor,” he stressed.
Rutherford who also served as Regional Councillor in Region Ten prior to becoming a
parliamentarian firmly expressed the view for Regional Councillors to lift their standards. He
noted that serving the people of Guyana requires honesty, fairness and the highest ethical
behaviour.
“I am thinking if you are a contractor and you are involved in your politics, I would have stayed
out of becoming a councillor,” he said.
He continued, “I can say this with a strong view because I served as a Councillor and I was never
interested not once in any contracts”.
The University of Guyana staffer went on to state that evidence has shown that a number of
Regional Councillors within the Region have become contractors after being elected to the
council. This, he stressed indicates the quality and mindset of those seeking to represent the
interest of the residents of Region Ten. He urged residents to do their research and they will find
out that several persons became contractors after sitting on the Council.

“Some may say that I am not a contractor but the records will show that a number of persons
became a contractor just to bleed the system when they became  a councillor and the record will
show this,” he declared.
Rutherford who admitted that residents of Region Ten needs improved representation, vowed to
be a watchdog for residents. He promised to continue speaking out, while raising his voice in
objection against acts of injustices and corruption.
“I am very firm on my stance that councillors should not be bidding for contracts in the region
that they serve,” the former MP declared