Local govt elections will remain high on the agenda – Luncheon

TIMES INT'L

In light of the fact that since the holding of the last local government elections in 1994, efficiencies in management have worsened and created havoc at the level of local communities, government has shown its resolve to aggressively confront the existing problems in the local government system.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr Roger Luncheon told a news conference on Thursday that apart from the commitment of President Donald Ramotar to have the elections as early as possible, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) administration has made changes (both administrative and organisational) to make the local government system more effective and efficient in the period of hiatus until the elections are held.
“The obvious consequences have been a heightened focus on the delivery of public goods and services in the local government system; unfortunately, this has been matched by the community protests… it is the administration’s contention, notwithstanding the attraction to symptoms of disorders and problems at the local government level, is that a focus has to be maintained on the definitive intervention, which includes local government elections and active representation of communities,” the Cabinet secretary explained.
He reiterated that local government elections would have to be addressed vigorously and maintained high on the agenda. He also hinted that the 2013 national estimates of expenditure may very well make provisions for the holding of the long-awaited local government elections.
Prior to Parliament going into recess in August, government tabled the outstanding pieces of legislation which will pave the way for a reformed local government system. These include: the Fiscal Transfers Bill, Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill, Local Government (Amendment) Bill, and the Local Government Commission Bill, all of which were sent to the same special select committee for further analysis.

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