St Catherine councillor wants ALGA leadership issue addressed by Local Government Ministry
Published:Thursday | July 10, 2025 | 3:21 PM
A councillor in the St Catherine Municipal Corporation wants the Ministry of Local Government to intervene to address the issue of leadership within the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGA), which represents local government representatives.
Councillor Alric Campbell of the Edgewater Division today raised concerns at the corporation's monthly general meeting that Winston Maragh is still serving as president of the association.
Campbell drew attention to a notification sent to the local authority in which Maragh was listed as president.
Campbell strongly objected, insisting that Maragh is no longer president.
He called for a letter to be sent to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government to address the matter.
In an interview with The Gleaner, Campbell stated, “I am one who believes in the country's legal system, therefore, I am prepared to take it to court if the matter is not dealt with forthwith, as Winston Maragh is not the president.”
According to Campbell, Maragh ceased to hold the position on February 1, 2025, following a disrupted election meeting.
He stated that although nominations for officers had been completed, the meeting ended in disarray, rendering the presidency null and void.
He asserted that only the General Secretary is legally authorised to represent ALGA until a properly constituted election is held.
The councillor also emphasised the need for ALGA, which serves as the union of councillors, to be reconstituted through a legitimate electoral process.
Meanwhile, several councillors raised concerns over fees and other monies paid to the association.
It was agreed that a letter would be drafted to determine the way forward.
The ongoing dispute stems from the aborted Annual General Meeting of ALGA on January 31, 2025, which has left the association in a state of uncertainty.
- Rasbert Turner
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.