Outright wicked, lawless and deceptive move by Communities Ministry

Dear Editor,
The Local Government Commission (LGC) is now in place, and, hopefully, this Commission would be able to carry out its function.
Our nation has witnessed the recent intrusion by the President, when he attempted to influence the Police Service Commission (PSC). Mr Granger instructed the Commission not to proceed with the Guyana Police Force promotions. His encroachment not only violates the sanctity of the PSC Act, as enshrined in the Constitution, but also tramples on every decent measure of independence from the biased politicisation intended.
It is hoped that the factions of Government which seek to so interfere by following the President’s lead are suppressed and rejected in every way, to realise the constitutional intent.
Attempts in this respect have been openly flaunted by the Minister of Communities.
The clandestine move by the APNU/AFC through Minister Bulkan’s picking and approval of Mr Marlon Williams of the Alliance For Change leadership as one of the Commissioners, was done without any consultation with the Local Government organs. It is a flagrant approach used to obtain a political imbalance on the Commission, which is considered illegal; and that would be engaging the Courts.
It is of significant note that the minister has publicly stated that he would be using the REO and Overseers to get control of the regions and Local Authority Areas (LAAs). The act is outright wicked, lawless and deceptive, as it leads to the undermining of elected representatives of the LAAs.
With the PPP/C controlling 49 of the 71 Local Authority Areas, and with six being tied, the APNU/AFC and independent groups have control of only just over 22 % of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and Municipalities put together. This indicates their bleak performance at the 2016 Local Government Elections. As such, the move is recognized to be one towards having a back-door control of areas lost, in some cases, to the sacrifice of citizens.
With another Local Government Election due by December 2018, the Government would be working assiduously to maintain grounds and better their performance this time around. Apparently, the best way the Coalition touts to have this done is through manipulation of the Local Government Commission to make decisions in their favour. However, it is against the ilk of decency to accept such clandestine and lawless approaches in any democracy, and these approaches we must reject.
Rather, the Ministry of Communities should embark on an informative and sensitization programme in all the Regions. The Ministry must complement and bring awareness to the elected leaders of the Regional Democratic Councils; the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils; the Municipalities and the Amerindian Village Councils as well as all other stakeholders.
Likewise, the responsibilities of the Commission and the requirements of the Local Democratic Organs, including the Amerindian Village Councils, as pronounced in the Act 18 of 2013, must be augmented through the Ministry. The Councils must be able to rely on each other, and recognize whenever something sinister is occurring. It is of importance to note that Section 33 of the Local Government Commission Act 18 of 2013 repealed Sections 97 to 117 of the Municipal and District Council Act, Chapter 28:01. Regional Democratic Councils and Municipalities should pay close attention to this authority given through the Section, and work to implement structures responsive to the LGC in working to forge progressive development of LAAs without biased political manipulation.
The incisive undercurrents being advanced by President Granger and his APNU/AFC cohorts typifies, and can be likened to, many of the failed pre-1992 application and approaches of the PNC government. Granger has made several non-apologetic decisions against the full constitutional intent, and with total dis- regard of the Judiciary.
Citizens must not be fooled by the unterminated subtleties on display, the APNU/AFC means no good, and only act in favour of those in the Government, who will be the only ones enjoying the Good life.

Sincerely,
Neil Kumar