The People’s National Movement’s (PNM) Port-of-Spain mayor designate Chinua Alleyne is expected to be sworn into office next Thursday—and the United National Congress’ mayors for Chaguanas and the new borough of Siparia are tipped to be Chaguanas incumbent Faiq Mohammed and Siparia councillor Jason Ali.
Plus former National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) minister Joseph Toney is tipped to be chairman of the UNC-controlled Sangre Grande corporation.
This, following decisions in both PNM and UNC parties on selections for mayors and corporation chairmen following Monday’s Local Government Elections. The PNM and UNC each won control of seven of the 14 corporations. Recounts were continuing in several areas yesterday.
The UNC, which has claimed the majority of seats, has said it has won the LGE election. In the 2019 LG election, where PNM and UNC tied 7-7, the PNM had claimed it had won that election, since it had 72 of the 139 seats (and the UNC won 67).
Earlier this week, decisions were announced in the PNM for mayors in PoS (Chinua Alleyne), San Fernando (Pleasantville councillor Robert Parris), Arima (businessman Balliram Maharaj), Point Fortin (Clyde James) and for the new borough of Diego Martin (onetime councillor Akeilah Glasgow).
The deputy mayors are Valesiha Sookdar (Diego Martin), Abena Hartley (PoS), Joven Roberts (Arima), Dr Ferri Hosein (San Fernando) and Kwesi Thomas (Point Fortin).
The chairmen and deputy chairmen in the PNM-controlled corporations are Macoya/Trincity councillor Josiah Austin and alderman Clayton Blackman (Tunapuna/Piarco), Richard Walcott and Caledonia/Upper Malick councillor Kwesi Antoine (San Juan Laventille).
Mayor-designate for PoS, Alleyne, will be sworn in at the PoS council’s chamber on Frederick Street next week, PNM officials said yesterday. Other mayors will also be sworn in over the next week.
Alleyne, nephew of former late PNM leader Patrick Manning, was PNM’s assistant campaign manager for PoS in the LGE elections in 2016, 2019 and for Monday’s election.
A former Queen’s Royal College graduate, Alleyne’s background includes as a health management/administration professional. A project manager by training and an entrepreneur, he’s also a member of PNM’s general council and central executive, and chairman of the PoS North/St Ann’s West constituency executive.
Alleyne is also a former party Youth Officer, served as National Youth League treasurer, Youth Officer and as PoS North/St Ann’s West vice chairman.
In 2018 PNM internal elections Alleyne unsuccessfully contested the post of PNM general secretary against Foster Cummings, who was on the Team Rowley slate.
Incoming San Fernando mayor Parris is also the godson of late PNM leader Manning, Guardian Media confirmed.
PNM officials said that at a function for LGE candidates, co-ordinators and MPs hosted by leader and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley at Cascadia Hotel on Wednesday, thanks was extended to all.
They said defeated candidates —who had gone up in Opposition areas—were asked to stand and they were applauded.
Officials said party members were also put on notice that elections are due at any time.
Meanwhile, names for UNC mayors in Chaguanas and Siparia and its corporation chairmen were being finalised by a UNC team, party executive officials said. They will be sworn in early next week.
Councillor for Siparia West Jason Ali is tipped by UNC officials to be mayor of the new borough of Siparia.
However, they said there’s also been a strong lobby for Avocat/San Francique North councillor Doodnath Mayrhoo for mayor.
Other corporation chairmen tipped are Toney (Sangre Grande), Gowrie Roopnarine (Princes Town), Raymond Cozier (Mayaro), and Henry Awong (Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo).