Mayor of Qeqqata Kommunia Malik Berthelsen is upset about Gedion Lyberth’s resignation from the partners. However, he wonders about the rationale for handing out construction projects that were supposed to ensure more development in smaller settlements.
First Deputy Mayor Gideon Lyberth has been a committed municipal politician for several years, and therefore it angers Mayor Malik Berthelsen that he chooses to withdraw from the cooperation in the municipal council.
– But I am surprised that he uses construction grants according to population as a justification, since exactly that decision will ensure continuity in construction projects in smaller residences in the municipality, says mayor of Qeqqata Kommunia Malik Berthelsen (S).
He also notes that the opposition parties have not mentioned that they will roll back that decision in their cooperation agreement that will apply for the next three years.
The municipal board has decided that in future the municipality must pay out building grants according to population during a meeting on 26 February. In the presentation of the case, it appears that Itilleq and Napasoq have not received any grants for this year.
Disagree with claim of tacit acceptance of depopulation
Gideon Lyberth has explained to Sermitsiaq that he believes the decision in the municipal council will mean that smaller settlements will be disadvantaged in relation to development opportunities.
The mayor strongly disagrees with that claim.
Until the approval of that resolution proposal, the municipality has distributed grants when a need arises. However, with a principle of building grants according to population, this will mean that settlements will in future have stock for future needs:
– With grants according to population, we will be able to ensure that these settlements will also receive funds for construction in the future, which will provide opportunities for development, says Malik Berthelsen and continues:
– A large number of members who make up the opposition have also helped to approve the said decision. So for me it does not make sense that he chooses to use it as a reason for his announcement, he says.
Negotiations continue with all parties
With Gideon Lyberth’s announcement, the majority from Malik Berthelsen and Siumut’s cooperation with Inuit Ataqatigiit tips to the opposition parties Naleraq, Demokraatit and Atassut, as well as the independent.
However, Malik Berthelsen is not worried about the further work in the municipal council:
– We all have an interest in developing our municipality. The vast majority of resolutions are approved by all parties, and I expect us to continue working in that way. The most important thing for me is that our municipality is safe and that we take responsibility for our municipality’s budget, says Malik Berthelsen.
He goes on to say that it will not be possible to be a member of the party when you choose not to cooperate with the party in the municipal council.
Gideon Lyberth has entered into a cooperation agreement with Naleraq, Demokraatit and Atassut in the municipal council.
