The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Region #7, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Councilor Stephen Belle, and his brother Clarence Belle who have long held the positions of President and Secretary of the Bartica Speedboat Association respectively have been booted by unanimous vote as the association elected a new management committee. This follows a disgraceful display of violence and lawlessness on February 24, 2022, that saw the two engage in a street fight as they brawled from the Bartica stelling to the Bartica Police Station. It is alleged that the fight was over a disagreement on how to divide turns in the speedboat lineup between the two men.
Though the election of a permanent committee is hindered by an ongoing audit, which many speculate to be an attempt to manipulate the process by the PPP, the members of the association have unanimously elected an Interim Committee to manage the Association until they are able to make the Committee permanent. The newly elected head of the Interim Committee, Mr. Lashley Gomes, has been serving as the acting President of the Association for some weeks with the outgoing President Mr. Stephen Bell on leave following the infamous brawl. Mr. Gomes also served as the Vice President of the Association for a number of years. Rozinnia Wade, who has been serving as the Assistant Secretary, replaces Clarence bell as the new Secretary.
The Bartica Speedboat Association has long been accused of being a corrupt organization, dominated by the family of the key PPP regional leader Mr. Stephen Belle. With the election of new management, the organization can now breathe a breath of fresh air and focus on the development of Bartica’s transport sector. Along with their many friends in Government, the Belles are expected to fight this change in management.
The Credible Sources team will continue to closely follow this developing story.
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