Kingston mayor calls for fresh ALGA-J elections

 

Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby is again calling for fresh elections to set the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGA-J) on course to effectively represent the interests of councillors. 

 

Speaking at the latest sitting of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation, Mr. Swaby said ALGA-J is failing in its role as a lobby body and union for councillors. 

 

ALGA-J has not held an annual general election since 2017. 

 

Mr. Swaby noted the attempt to hold the AGM on January 31, which he described as a sham. 

 

The meeting was aborted after it descended into chaos. 

 

He argued that the absence of elections and meetings represents a serious breach of democratic practice and transparency. 

 

"I am calling for some sort of resolution to the issue. I believe that one resolution...appropriate resolution would be for ALGA to call an annual general meeting and for us to elect an new officer. If it is the same Mr. Maragh go back and he's elected, no problem. But I believe that we should have a meeting. I'm certain that there are persons who are interested in looking at how ALGA run and believe that we should change the direction that ALGA is going in," he asserted.