Tense clash at Region 6 RDC as councillors debate removal of ‘urgent public interest’ matters from minutes

A heated exchange erupted at the Region Six Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Thursday as councillors clashed over a proposal to remove the “Matters of Urgent Public Interest” section from the council’s minutes.

The disagreement surfaced during the first statutory meeting of the newly constituted council following the 2025 elections. Councillor Shaun Smith of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) moved the motion, arguing that the agenda item encourages absenteeism and inconsistent participation.

“I have put forward the propositions for the grounds on which I am asking that the council deliberate and move to vote to remove ‘Matters of Urgent Public Interest’. This particular item in the agenda allows for absenteeism because they have an opportunity to just come up without participation at the subcommittee level,” Smith argued.

However, Councillor Collin Moore of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) strongly objected, claiming that councillors were not given sufficient notice of the proposal.

“There is no law that permits me to tell you that I may not be able to come here and speak if I don’t go to a committee meeting,” Moore responded.

The exchange between the two became tense before order was restored and the discussion moved on.

After hearing both views, Regional Chairman Junior Basant said guidance will be sought before any decision is made.

“In the next council meeting, it will follow in the minutes that we will debate this issue. After listening to the debates, we will then go to a vote if it should or should not be removed,” Basant stated.

The matter is expected to be addressed fully at the next statutory meeting, scheduled for January 2026.