Stabroek News has invited the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change to submit a weekly column on local government and related matters. The PPP/C has declined the offer. Only APNU has submitted a column this week.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration and Norman Whittaker, its current Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, really ought to decide how much longer they intend to deceive the public regarding their intentions to uphold constitutional provisions relating to local democracy.
They need to determine as well if they will continue to defy and disobey the provisions which define the role, scope and authority of local democratic organs (LDOs). They also need to direct their attention as to the usefulness of continuing their campaign to degrade the capacity of elected and duly-constituted councils. Whittaker wrote to the Mayor of Georgetown on June 19, 2014 under the caption “Addressing Statutory meeting of the Georgetown City Council” stating:
“Arising out of a staff retreat at the Ministry…held during January 2014, I have determined, inter alia, to meet with each of the Councils of the six Municipalities…at least once per year to address the Council on matters that are, in the Minister`s view, pivotal and critical to improving the extent and the quality of services which