ALGA-J AGM descends into chaos as councillors clash over agenda

The highly-anticipated Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGA-J) ended in chaos this morning after a dispute over the meeting's agenda escalated into a physical confrontation.

Chairman Winston Maragh suffered minor injuries after a microphone was forcibly taken from him while he attempted to conduct proceedings at the Golf View Hotel in Manchester.

The incident forced the postponement of the AGM, the first since 2018.

People's National Party (PNP) councillors objected to the agenda, arguing that its distribution on the day of the AGM violated Section 8 of the Association of Local Government Officers Act of 2004, which mandates that the agenda be shared at least five days prior.

They also opposed the commencement of voting before the scheduled 11 a.m. time.

Despite their objections, the meeting proceeded.

Around 10:40 a.m., Waterford councillor Fenley Douglas and his colleagues protested, sparking the disruption.

During the chaos, a councillor grabbed the microphone from Maragh, slightly injuring his hand.

He then adjourned the meeting under Section 8A of the act.

Jamaica Labour Party councillor Courtney Edwards, who was contesting the chairman's position, condemned the actions of the PNP councillors.

"This was a calculated action by the PNP councillors because they didn't have the numbers at the time when we were ready to vote, so they disrupted the meeting to buy time," Edwards said.

"I am very concerned because the PNP, who claimed to have authority on morality, have disgraced themselves and the municipal corporations they represented."

Police were called in to restore order, but by then, councillors had already left the venue.

- Ruddy Mathison

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