Local authorities should not be held hostage

Dear Editor,
The consistent rainfall has taken a heavy toll on property, infrastructure and investments across the country. Overcoming the ruthlessness of the impacting damages will certainly require the strongest individual and collective resilience of our people, given the recognisable negative support emanating from the hallows of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Chambers.
It is also regrettable and sad that in many rural the Local Government Areas (LGAs) which were severely affected, the impacts may have been minimised to some measure. Relevant and serious in this regard, is the stifling grip of frustrating many elected Councils that the Communities Ministry has imposed. Not only is our people’s health and livelihood threatened, the flaying economy is now deficient of millions of dollars’ worth in cash crops and livestock lost all over the country.
The Canals Polders on the West Bank of Demerara is one area in particular where farmers and residents suffered very heavily.
During the examination of the 2018 Budget Estimates, several questions were asked by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Opposition members, regarding the plans to support LGAs. It was not surprising that information requested from Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, remained unanswered as he used his customary empty promises to lay the answers to the National Assembly at a later date. Given that Parliament is still awaiting the answers to 2017 questions, the incompetence of the Minister suggests that the enquires regarding the 2018 Budget may never be responded to in any timely or meaningful way.
It is important to note that of the G$6.5 billion allocated for the Communities Ministry in Budget 2018, G$1 billion was allocated for subventions to Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and municipalities. However, the Minister was unable to answer to the very important questions regarding the allocations of these appropriations and he promised to present the information requested within 48 hours. To date, he has not given any answer.
The coalition Government seems to be working in cahoots with other arms of the Government to frustrate the work of some NDCs, especially those that are managed by PPP Chairmen and Deputy Chairs. I am reliably informed that every dime spent by the NDCs must be prior approved by the Regional Executive Officers at many Regional Democratic Councils (RDC), although the amounts often fall below the threshold approved under the Procurement Act Chapter 73:05 for such agencies.
It follows that if the NDCs approves the spending of $20,000 on a corrective project in its constituency, the Overseer must first frustratingly travel to the RDC to have prior approval, often spending hours and taking up valuable time for approval.
The Communities Minister should expedite the requests of elected Councils and to advance the formation of District Tender Boards.
Notably, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority has the responsibility to make sure that some drainage and irrigation canals are kept clean and functioning. However, residents in many villages are of the strong opinion that their drainage canals are deliberately not being cleaned. The recent Canal episode is a clear example of neglect by the Regional Executive Officer of Region Three, who has control of the regional machinery and the drainage and irrigation department.
The onus is on the APNU/AFC coalition Government to make sure that the LAAs are given an opportunity to function efficiently. The staff or Councils must not be held hostage under the control of the Communities Ministry. The Subventions for the Local Authority Areas must be spent in the interest of the specific districts or villages as the people so desired.

Sincerely,
Neil Kumar