LGE must realise the strengthening of our local democracy in Guyana!

Dear Editor,
It is extremely heartening to see the genuine efforts of the community leaders across various Local Authority Areas (LAAs) to present the best list of representative teams to contest the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs).
In this regard, it is noteworthy that the PPP/C has advanced, and is utilising, a set of strengthened, inclusive-driven criteria designed to involve the broadest possible cross-section of persons. The wide-ranging spectrum encourages and draws from among the residents within the various constituencies to be on the respective constituency candidate lists.
With this new approach, there have been, and are likely to have, further wider consultations at the various levels of communities. It is not surprising, but most interesting, that the response confirms a clear signal of desire and need for empowerment by some young persons who are now nominated as candidates. Of course, this category of younger residents now makes up approximately 40 percent of our voting population.
As a parallel for purpose of balance, consideration of persons who bring responsible experience, other and qualitative selections is taking place, so that the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) will be more inclusive and dynamic in their approach to function, and effectively respond to the needs of communities at the grassroots levels.
In most cases, considering the hybrid framework of our Electoral System, the constituency candidates have been selected from among the most seasoned and reputable persons in the community. On the other hand, Proportional Representatives Candidates are drawn from persons who, on most occasions, are relatively new to the function of the NDCs. The preparation for these LGEs is very significant as the best team to realise the requisite response to the tremendous development at the national level, and will likely catalyse and propel development at the local level.
Many ongoing strong developmental national projects are emerging from the approved appropriations commitments in the National Budget. With these projects impacting some LAAs now and in the medium term, a ‘laid-back’ or slothful response from community residents will only serve to delay advantages and benefits in the fast-changing global framework. Consequently, transformative plans at the community and village levels must be put in place to hasten the capacities of residents in advancing collective greater synergies that are complementary to the national initiatives.
Evidencing the foregoing is the tremendous development on the East Bank of Demerara, which will certainly demand more mature and professional leadership in the local communities. The Eccles/ Rambsurg Neighbourhood Democratic Council now has enhanced responsibilities for ensuring functional preparedness and responses to the hundreds of thousands of commuters: from residents, businesses, and new investments that have begun to transit its carriageways from the connecting interior Regions 9, 8 & 7, and the Town of Linden, West Demerara, Upper East Bank, and East Coast Demerara.
The magnitude of complimentary attitudinal transformation required at this level to fast-track the required urbanisation changes in the short and medium terms cannot be understated. We must also be fully cognisant of the fact that the main thoroughfare to and from the airport and the interior also passes through the Eccles community. Coupled is the massive development on the “Waterfront”, along with the activities at the Industrial Site, which call for more high-profile efficiency in administration.
These new dynamics, which are likely to be delivered, given available access to the required funding by the PPPC Government, necessitate and demand that our communities must have set goals around the ‘right’ to vote, the right to administer, and the right to see and shape our community plans. This transformational development that is unfolding in front of our eyes informs us of the need for our people to get more inclusive, and are drivers for fully-energised participation in all aspects of development.
The rights of our residents in this respect are better addressed and advanced at the Local Government level through the LGEs to determine members of a council that will administrate these matters in the various LAA communities. Those who are supported to administrate based on a functional democratic framework as enshrined in the Guyana Constitution MUST focus on the development at the community levels, and in providing improved service to our people.
Consequently, the various manifesto agendas should commit to improving platforms for facilitative delivery of services for health, education, sport, recreation, youths, and pensioners, reducing crime/violence, improving drainage & irrigation, ROADS/STREETS, health centres, along with garbage collection and other services to maintain cleanliness and beautification of where and how we live.
Editor, the LGE, in its reality, must advance those who will strengthen and deliver our democratic rights in Guyana.

Sincerely,
Neil Kumar