Dear Editor,
In Trinidad, the PNM took a severe beating from the Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar-led Peoples Partnership coalition in the Jul 26 local government elections. Instead of celebrations and ignoring the opposition as had been done for decades, the victors called on the opposition to work together for the betterment of the country. Cooperation, instead of confrontation that we are accustomed to in Guyana, is the way to govern and maximize development.
The Prime Minister called on the opposition leader for discussions on better governance in a country that has been plagued with endless corruption. She said she wants to work closely with her opponents telling the Opposition Leader “my hands are outstretched” to you.
The election has seen the PNM going from controlling nine local bodies to a mere three, while Kamla’s UNC-led PP went from five to 11, the largest victory ever by a party opposed to the PNM. The PP also went from 42 seats to a total of 100 seats decimating the PNM – all stemming from the arrogance of the previous leader. The results were not surprising given that the PNM was nearly emasculated in the May 24 general elections that were called mid-way through its term of office.
The challenges now facing both the PNM and the PP are to appoint appropriate heads in each local body for efficient and competent governance and for the local bodies to be given more control of community affairs. The parties need to govern effectively, unlike during the last seven years when funds were squandered. Also, local government should not be undermined in favour of central authority, as happened during the PNM’s term of office, ignoring peoples’ basic problems.
The councillors have got to perform, or else they will face the wrath of the population as I observed in Guyana during a visit last month. The winning councillors should not be enticed by the corruption which had plagued the PNM. Peoples’ interests instead of personal interests, as happens in Guyana among some local councillors, should be paramount. The Trinidadian PM’s assurance that there will be no attempt at victimization or the settling of scores after years of neglect of the rural communities will provide her with a breathing space to achieve results.
What is needed in Trinidad, as well as in Guyana, is local government reforms to empower the local bodies so they can act more independently of central authority. They should also be allowed to raise their own revenues, various fees and taxes, as happens in the US, so they will not be at the mercy of the national government.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
