Dear Editor,
The operationalisation of the Local Government Commission remains yet another of the many unfulfilled pledges/promises of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) established the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry and the Amerindian Affairs Ministry in order to guide and support the work of local democratic organs across our country; namely the Regional Democratic Councils, the municipalities, the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and the Amerindian Village Councils.
In this regard, we at the Ministry of Local and Regional Development were guided by existing legislation even as we worked with the then Opposition political parties now in Government to bring realisation to the Local Government Legislative Reforms agreed to by the PPP/C and the People’s National Congress Reform after the December 1997 General and Regional Elections.
Aware of the contentious issues and concerns of the Local Authorities and residents within the various Local Authority areas; we sought to train staff at the level of the Local Authorities and to work with them to realise the desired improvements. We were aware of the concerns/criticisms emanating from the political Opposition, some local authorities and residents even as we worked to (a) address challenges of local governance viz, allegations of incompetence, lethargy, corruption, over staffing, poor quality staff, discrimination in employment practices etc and (b) accusations to the effect that the Local Government and Regional Development Minister had too much ‘power’ and exercised too much authority and control over the operations of Local Authorities. We determined to address these concerns by way of Legislative Reform viz the Local Government Amendment Bill, the Municipal and District Councils Amendment Bill, the Fiscal Transfers Bill and the Local Government Commission Bill.
Several months ago, the Opposition PPP/C submitted the names of its three Commissioners to sit on the Commission. The Communities Minister is yet to name ‘one member after consultations with Local Democratic Organs’; while His Excellency is required ‘acting in accordance with his own judgment to name and appoint three members’. He is yet to do so.
What is preventing the Government from announcing its own members and activating the Commission? The people want to know Mr Minister! The people want to know Mr President. Can’t find a suitable building to accommodate the Commission?
To the contrary, many Guyanese have opined that the APNU/AFC Government have determined as a priority, to fulfil commitments and promises of positions in Government, jobs, contracts etc they made to voters in return for their votes at the May 2015 General and Regional Elections and the March 2016 Local Government Election. At the latter election, the Government was startled by the fact that the PPP/C enjoyed the support, confidence and trust of a significant number of the voting population. After all, the PPP/C won 48 of the 71 LAAs at the March 2016 Local Government Elections and in all likelihood, will win five of the six tied LAAs when the By-elections are held. Certainly not the type of controlled freakism the APNU/AFC anticipated.
This is coming from the very politicians who while they were in Opposition would have Guyanese believe that they were keen and excited about local democracy prevailing. So much for genuine cries of transparency, accountability, good governance coming from the Government. So much for their hue and cries of local democracy. The Government has thrown these through the window. Many Local Authorities are obviously unaware of the Legislation/By-laws, regulations, customs and practices which guide what they do.
Let the Local Government Commission be established.
Sincerely,
Norman Whittaker
Former Local Government Minister
