Disciplinary action for local authorities violating regulations – LGC

…hosts outreach in Region 2

The Local Government Commission held a discussion with the chairpersons, overseers and deputy overseers from the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and Township, during their first outreach in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
Speaking at a small gathering at the regional State House, Anna Regina, on Tuesday, Chairman of the LGC, Julius Faerber said that the body was very dormant and less visible in the past and as such, they are now ensuring that community leaders present in the commission will be provided with requisite training that is required. He also stated that they are ensuring that policies of the Government are adhered to and as such if local bodies are violating the rules and regulations, the team will take disciplinary actions.
“I would like to let you know that one of the roles of the LGC is to provide you with essential training that is needed. However, it’s our duty to employ as well as sanction persons who failed to complete their duties in a respective manner,” the Chairman said.
Meanwhile, the LGC Deputy Chairman, Norman Whittaker said that the team will work in ensuring that the leaders from the various NDCs understand their roles and functions to be performed. He noted that they will accommodate several training programmes to ensure that the leaders are knowledgeable on their roles so that their tasks are accomplished at a high standard.
Whittaker, therefore, urged the community leaders to conduct more field visits and engage the people in decision making. He also encouraged the NDCs to always have a copy of the Commissioner Act in their possession.
Meanwhile, Secretary of the Commission Nickalai Pryce gave a brief history of the LGC. He explained that the Commission was established on October 23, 2017, and commenced under the hand of the past Minister, which effectively brought into existence and operation of the LGC Act. Pryce further noted that the Commission is vested with regulatory power over all governance issues and ensures the effective functioning of all local organs, which includes the municipalities, the NDCs and the Amerindian Village Councils.
“The Local Government Commissioners body operates as a constitutional and regulatory agency empowered to deal with all matters relating to regulations and staffing of the Local Government organs. However, the eight Commissioners were appointed by His Excellency President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana pursuant to the LGC Act on April 21, 2021,” Pyrce told the gathering.
The Regional Vice-Chairman Humace Oodit, who represented the Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva showed appreciation and welcomed the Commission team on their first outreach in Region Two. He said that the RDC is happy for the encouragement, training guidance and full support that the Commission body will provide for the NDC leaders, which will further benefit the local organs in the region.