Govt still working to meet 2017 LGC deadline – Bulkan

Setting up of the Local Government Commission (LGC) is still in the pipelines, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan has said.
He has given his full assurance that the process is still ongoing, and iterates that there is no intention on the part of Government to abandon the setting up of that body.

Bulkan told Guyana Times on Monday that discussions in this regard are still taking place; but, “regrettably, we have not arrived at a position as it relates to the full composition of that Commission, (so it) can be named, sworn in, and become operationalized.” He, however, noted that a few months are still left.
“But the administration is committed, as previously indicated:- that that Commission becomes operational before the end of this year,” he added, explaining that the Government is cognizant of the importance this body will play in creating a robust and independent local Government system in Guyana.
The minister told this publication that while the Government had set previous deadlines, it will work hard to ensure that the next deadline is met. He said the appropriate site to house the facility is still being sought after, explaining that the problem is trying to get a suitable location.
Former Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud has said it is extremely disappointing that after all the statements and concerns expressed by the coalition Government — to enhance democracy and to rush bills, while promising to give more autonomy to the local Government bodies, the LGC is yet to be established. He said the delay exposes the coalition’s “falsity.”
This long-awaited commission will be tasked with oversight of the various local authorities, rather than have directives issued by the Communities Minister. It was previously reported that the Commission will be able to monitor and assess the performance of the local government organs, administer disciplinary action and implement policies such as tax collection. At a post-election press conference on March 19, Minister Bulkan had stated that the operationalisation of the commission was expected to be “fairly imminent”. He had also noted that the appropriate Government property to house the Commission has been identified, and stressed that a rental may have to be paid. Bulkan had announced in 2015 that the body would be established and be operational in 2016. After a 22-year absence, Local Government Elections returned with a turnout of just over 47 per cent. The ruling APNU/AFC (A Partnership for National Unity /Alliance For Change) coalition won six out of nine towns and the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic claimed 28,000 more overall votes than the ruling Administration.
In the 2016 budget estimates, some $30 million had been allocated by the Government to the non-functioning LGC. When asked, Bulkan had stated that this was to allow the Commission to operate independently of Central Government.