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 Regional Chairman of the Potaro-Siparuni Region (No. 8) recently wrote to Norman Whittaker, Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development seeking clarification regarding the authority of the Regional Democratic Council and that of its Regional Executive Officer.
Whittaker’s answers are most revealing. They constitute clear evidence of the ‘doctrine’ that guides the People’s Progressive Party Civic administration’s policy for local government. For this reason, the correspondence should be shared with the public. The Minister’s reply is captioned ‘Re: Functioning of RDC # 8.’
Question: Can a Regional Chairman request Accountability Framework reports from a Regional Executive Officer?
Answer: No. But no harm in sharing the info in the interest of transparency.
Question: Can monies be deducted from Line item 6211 for payments of transportation for a Regional Chairman`s Secretary without the approval of the Regional Chairman?
Answer: RCs have no responsibilities for approving any expenditure. This is the function of the REOs –the appointed Accounting Officer.
Question: Can monies be deducted from Line item 6211 for refreshment for visitors without the approval of the Regional Chairman?
Answer: RCs have no responsibilities for approving any expenditure. This is the function of the REOs –the appointed Accounting Officer
Question: Who is responsible for carrying out the general correspondence of the council?
Answer: Clerk of Council –The REO
Question: Can a Regional Chairman request from a REO, minutes of tender board meetings?
Answer: No. But no harm in sharing the info. in the interest of transparency.
Question: Can a Regional Tender Board be opened with only one Tender Board member present and can someone who is not a Tender Board member officiate at a Tender Board meeting?
Answer: Any TB meeting must have a quorum of 3 members. TB can request technical advice if necessary from any person outside of members. This adviser cannot “officiate”.
Question: Can a Regional Chairman request from a REO how much money was spent to repair RDC vehicles?
Answer: Same as 1. and 5. above.
Question: Does a Regional Chairman have to seek permission from a REO for a Programme Manager to attend Regional Committee meetings?
Answer: Yes. REO is head of administration.
Question: Who decides on the priority for recurrent budget projects?
Answer: REO, in consultation with respective Head of programme.
Question: Can you inform me who is responsible for preparing activities for the national events in a region; whether it is the RDC or the Ministry of Local Gov`t?
Answer: The Regional Administration –REO/DREO.
Question: How does a Regional Chairman obtain leave?
Answer: RC must approach the Hon. Minister of LG&RD and request leave of absence. It is Minister`s prerogative to decide.
[Signed] Hon. Norman Whittaker
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development
There is little, if any at all, role for the RDC in the management of (any of) an administrative region by the Minister’s reasoning. The duly-elected councillors are being treated as window-dressing, mannequins even!
The ‘Whittaker Doctrine’ is a reflection of the PPP/C’s formula to use the administrative component of the council to neuter and nullify the constitutional authority of the council! So, whereas the administrative staff of a local democratic organ (which the constitution refers to as an “organ of local democratic power” and which is an “integral part of the political organization of the State) has to be subordinate and subservient to the council (which comprises of democratically-elected persons or the people’s representatives) the PPP/C administration, in flagrant disregard of the constitution, has turned the law upside-down!
In the case of Region No. 8 in which the PPP/C received less than 30 % popular support, the administration’s ‘doctrine’ of governance of the region has moved beyond even a ‘winner-takes-all’ approach to that of ‘loser-takes-all’ and administered with ruthlessness and vengeance.
The Ramotar-led PPP/C administration is operating like constitutional outlaws. Take the question of how a Regional Chairman obtains leave. The law gives this authority to the council (Cap. 28:09, Article 27.); Whittaker declares that it is his “prerogative to decide”! As to the authorization of expenses, Whittaker says that “RCs have no responsibilities for approving any expenditure. This is the function of the REOs”; the law states that “A council may appropriate out of its funds … any sum … to be placed at the disposal of its chairman in any manner specified in the order.”[Article 29. (1)].
This ‘doctrine’ disregards the constitutional role and authority of RDCs and results in hardship for the people. In the case of Region No. 8, the residents there do not enjoy access to proper infrastructure such as roads, pure water supply, affordable even reliable electricity or education delivery. This is because the RDC is being totally sidelined in the management of the affairs of the region.
APNU advocated, as early as 2012, for the rehabilitation of the Tumatumari hydro-electric power station which would have supplied continuous electricity at half its present cost, to residents all the way to Mahdia. That call was ignored by the PPP/C administration. The administration, however, has callously refused to address the needs of hinterland residents and has neglected their welfare and interests. It is the same in all of the hinterland and there is an evident East-West Divide where the area west of the Essequibo river which comprises two-thirds of the country is suffering from gross neglect. The root cause of this situation is as a result of the failure to ensure governance in accordance with constitutional provisions.
APNU has pledged to cooperate and collaborate with all eighty one local democratic organs in pursuance of the effective management of their respective jurisdictions.
A Partnership for National Unity commits itself to good governance and development – respect for constitutional bodies, the constitution, the law and citizens’ fundamental rights. This will be possible only when the PPP/C is removed from office.
Vote for national unity, progress and development. Vote for A Good Life. Vote APNU!
