The management of local democratic organs will soon fall under the watchful eye of a Local Government
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo
Commission (LGC). This comes after months of delays, and repeated calls, for the body’s establishment as Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan will no longer issue directives on local government matters, rather, this will fall under the perview of the LGC.
In light of his announcement that LGC will now be operationalised by early July, the Communities Minister told this publication Monday that nominees for the Government side will be known by Wednesday. Bulkan however pointed out that he has not heard word from the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on their nominees for LGC posts: “We have not received a response from him (the Opposition leader) as yet.”
However, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo told this newspaper on Monday that the PPP/C nominees will soon be chosen.
“I suspect this matter will be dealt with tomorrow or alternatively on Friday, our nominees will be selected.”
The opposition leader further related that he could not reveal the names of the nominees as the matter is under discussion among party members: “Once we discuss the matter conclusively, we will release the names.”
PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira had earlier this month contended that although Minister Bulkan was “constantly reminded”, the Opposition Leader had not received a formal letter.
“The Leader of Opposition by law, the President by law shall appoint a certain number of people. The Act talks about the minister responsible for local government triggering this. The Minister of Communities has to trigger the action to write the Leader of the Opposition to say according to section so and so of the Act, we require the following, I’ve raised this matter over and over again,” Teixeira had explained at a party press conference.
At that time, she noted that three sittings had passed but there were no moves on the matter: “There seems to be no haste on the government’s side to get the motion into the Parliament.”
It was after the return of Local Government Elections (LGE) that tensions and controversy surrounded the establishment of some of the local democratic organs. Even before that ensued, government had promised that the LGC would be functioning from early 2016.
The commission will be tasked with monitoring and assessing the performance of the local government organs, administer disciplinary action, and implement policies such as tax collection.
Commission (LGC). This comes after months of delays, and repeated calls, for the body’s establishment as Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan will no longer issue directives on local government matters, rather, this will fall under the perview of the LGC.
