A disagreement has arisen in the municipal council of Qeqqata Municipality.
First Deputy Mayor Gideon Lyberth has left the coalition cooperation and instead made an agreement with the opposition parties.
In the municipality, Mayor Malik Berthelsen (S) sits in a coalition consisting of Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit.
The two parties have so far had a majority of exactly 8 seats, against the opposition's 7 seats.
With Gideon Lyberth leaving the coalition, the mayoral work may become more difficult for Malik Berthelsen for the remaining three years of the election term.
However, it is important to note that a mayor is elected for the entire term, so his mayoral position is not immediately in danger.
Lyberth: Only Sisimiut is being developed
As a justification for leaving the collaboration, Gideon Lyberth tells Sermitsiaq that it is due to a decision on the distribution of construction funds:
- My primary background for withdrawing from the coalition collaboration is the decision to distribute construction funds based on the number of citizens.
- The way of doing it can result in a tacit death sentence for the settlements. Avannaata Kommunia has done it before but has stopped doing it again, as it could be seen that settlements and smaller settlements are not being developed enough, says Gideon Lyberth.
Continued member - but will not hesitate to resign
Although Gideon Lyberth has left the coalition, he says that he is still a member of Siumut:
- I will continue as a kind of independent in Qeqqata Kommunia, but understood in the way that I am leaving the coalition parties.
- I will continue to represent Siumut, if it is technically possible. If it is not possible, then I will not hesitate to withdraw from Siumut, as the majority in the municipal council's work does not align with my values, says Gideon Lyberth.
Establishing a new committee
According to Gideon Lyberth, he has agreed with the opposition parties Demokraatit, Atassut and Naleraq to establish a new committee to ensure that the municipality is involved in the development of the Tasersiaq hydroelectric project:
- The Committee for Industry and Raw Materials must ensure that companies in Qeqqata Municipality are involved in the Tasersiaq project.
- It is not only about the project providers, but also car repair shops and other service providers who will work around the project. So far, the municipality has not been involved, but we need that so that citizens and companies can also benefit from the project, says Gideon Lyberth.
