New Local Gov’t Minister ‘very soon’ – President Ali

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Monday told newly elected Mayors and Deputy Mayors that a new Minister of Local Government and Regional Development will be appointed soon.

The President administered the Oath of Office to the 10 Mayors and their Deputies on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Georgetown.

As he touted the need for greater collaboration between local government leaders and the central government, he announced that the new minister would be appointed soon.

Moments later, when approached by reporters at the sidelines of the event, Dr. Ali said the new Local Government Minister would be appointed “very soon… sooner than you can imagine.”

Nigel Dharamlall, the former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, resigned recently following rape allegations levelled against him. Anand Persaud, who has been the Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development since 2020, has headed the ministry since.

Dharamlall’s resignation follows allegations by a schoolgirl that she was raped by him; the girl later said she did not wish further action in the case. The Director of Public Prosecutions subsequently advised the Police that there is no case to proceed with.

Meanwhile, the President said the Cabinet has not considered whether Dharamlall would be offered any other position in government.

“Right now, we are dealing with the appointment of the responsibilities for Local Government, and that (Dharamlall’s possible hiring) has not come to government at this time,” President Ali said.